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March 24, 2026
贝壳(貝殼)bèiké(bei4ke2)
贝壳 (bèi kè) refers to the hard outer covering of certain animals, particularly mollusks like shells and conchs. It is commonly used in contexts related to marine life, jewelry, and decorative items. The word can also be associated with the concept of protection or enclosure due to its hard exterior.
Frequency#9786DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, shells such as cowries (贝壳) have historically been used as currency and are often associated with wealth and prosperity. They are also used in traditional crafts and jewelry, making them culturally significant.
Memory Tip
Imagine a beautiful beach where you find a shiny conch shell (贝壳). The character 贝 (bèi) looks like a shell itself, while 壳 (kè) resembles a protective casing. Picture picking up this shell, and the sound of the ocean reminds you of its name.
Meanings of 贝壳
bèiké(bei4ke2)
1shell
2conch
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 贝壳
贝壳Simplified
貝殼Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#9786Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 贝壳
Podcast: 贝壳
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AI Study Notes for 贝壳
Quick Contrast
壳 (kè) - use 贝壳 when specifically referring to shells of mollusks, while 壳 can refer to any shell or outer covering, including those of eggs or nuts.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a beautiful beach where you find a shiny conch shell (贝壳). The character 贝 (bèi) looks like a shell itself, while 壳 (kè) resembles a protective casing. Picture picking up this shell, and the sound of the ocean reminds you of its name.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the pronunciation of 贝壳; it can be confused with similar-sounding words. It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts. Common collocations include 贝壳博物馆 (shell museum) and 贝壳艺术 (shell art).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 贝壳 connects to other vocabulary related to nature and marine life. Students should focus on its usage in descriptive contexts, as well as understanding its function in compound words or phrases.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, shells such as cowries (贝壳) have historically been used as currency and are often associated with wealth and prosperity. They are also used in traditional crafts and jewelry, making them culturally significant.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 贝壳 as 'bèi qiào', mixing up the tones. The correct pronunciation is 'bèi kè'. Additionally, some may confuse it with other words related to shells, so context is crucial.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 贝壳
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Grammar Patterns of 贝壳
贝壳 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
用____来装点盒子、托盘、镜子甚至是花盆。
Use shells to decorate boxes, trays, mirrors or even pots.
Use shells to decorate boxes, trays, mirrors or even pots.
2
退潮之后, 他们就四处去拾贝壳.
tuì cháo zhī hòu, , tā mén jiù sì chǔ qù shí bèi.
When the tide ebbed, they scattered to pick sea shells.
3
他停下来拾起一只贝壳.
tā tíng xià lái shí qǐ yī zhī bèi ké.
He made a pause to pick up a shell.
4
在有些地区,甚至深海软体动物翼足类的文石贝壳可铺满海底.
zài yǒu xiē dì qū, , shèn zhì shēn hǎi ruǎn tǐ dòng wù yì zú lèi de wén shí bèi ké kě pū mǎn hǎi.
In some areas even aragonitic shells of the pelagic molluscs pteropods coat the sea floor.
Cultural Notes for 贝壳
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, shells such as cowries (贝壳) have historically been used as currency and are often associated with wealth and prosperity. They are also used in traditional crafts and jewelry, making them culturally significant.
Frequently Asked Questions about 贝壳
贝壳 can be used in sentences like '我在海滩上捡到了一个漂亮的贝壳' (I found a beautiful shell on the beach).
It is pronounced as 'bèi kè', with the first syllable having a falling tone and the second a rising tone.
Yes, it can refer to various types of shells, including conchs and cowries, and is also used metaphorically to signify protection.
