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March 24, 2026
势必(勢必)shìbì(shi4bi4)
势必 (shìbì) is used to express a strong certainty or inevitability about a future event or situation. It conveys the idea that something is bound to happen, often due to the circumstances or actions leading up to it.
Frequency#27773DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of inevitability is often tied to the idea of fate, which is a significant theme in many traditional stories and philosophies. This reflects a cultural acceptance of the flow of life and events.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'strong force' (势) pushing you towards a 'certain outcome' (必). Picture a giant hand forcing a boulder down a hill, ensuring it will reach the bottom – it must happen!
Meanings of 势必
shìbì(shi4bi4)
1to be bound to
2undoubtedly will
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 势必
势必Simplified
勢必Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#27773Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 势必
Podcast: 势必
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AI Study Notes for 势必
Quick Contrast
必然 (bìrán) - use 势必 when emphasizing the influence of current circumstances on future outcomes, while 必然 focuses more on the inherent nature of the event being unavoidable.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'strong force' (势) pushing you towards a 'certain outcome' (必). Picture a giant hand forcing a boulder down a hill, ensuring it will reach the bottom – it must happen!
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 势必 with similar expressions that convey uncertainty. It is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, but is especially common in written language. Common collocations include 势必成功 (bound to succeed) and 势必发生 (must happen).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 势必 connects with other expressions of certainty and prediction, like 一定 (yídìng) and 必须 (bìxū). Focus on using it in sentences that describe events that are likely to occur based on evidence or reasoning.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of inevitability is often tied to the idea of fate, which is a significant theme in many traditional stories and philosophies. This reflects a cultural acceptance of the flow of life and events.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 势必 in contexts where uncertainty is present, such as '他可能势必来' (He might undoubtedly come). The correct phrase would be '他可能会来' (He might come).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 势必
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Grammar Patterns of 势必
势必 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 2 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
这____让我更加下定决心融入周围环境。
It must have reinforced my determination to blend into my surroundings.
If he goes on like this, he will be imprisoned some day.
Cultural Notes for 势必
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of inevitability is often tied to the idea of fate, which is a significant theme in many traditional stories and philosophies. This reflects a cultural acceptance of the flow of life and events.
Frequently Asked Questions about 势必
Yes, while it's often used in formal contexts, it can also fit into casual conversations when discussing future events.
Not necessarily; it can be used for both positive and negative outcomes.
You can say, '他势必会来' (He will undoubtedly come) to express certainty.
