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March 24, 2026
疲惫(疲憊)píbèi(pi2bei4)
The word 疲惫 (píbèi) means exhausted or tired, typically referring to a physical or mental state of extreme fatigue. It is often used to describe feelings after long hours of work or intense activities, and conveys a sense of being worn out.
Frequency#7958DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of hard work is highly valued, and expressing fatigue can sometimes carry a connotation of dedication and effort, making 疲惫 a term that reflects both struggle and commitment.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person who has been running a marathon feeling so tired that their body feels 'beaten' down. The first character 疲 (pí) has the radical 疒 (illness) on the left, suggesting a state of being unwell or weakened, while 惫 (bèi) sounds like 'beaten', reinforcing the image of exhaustion.
Meanings of 疲惫
píbèi(pi2bei4)
1beaten
2exhausted
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About 疲惫
疲惫Simplified
疲憊Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#7958Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 疲惫
Podcast: 疲惫
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AI Study Notes for 疲惫
Quick Contrast
疲倦 (tíjuàn) is more about general tiredness, while 疲惫 (píbèi) implies a deeper, more extreme level of exhaustion.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person who has been running a marathon feeling so tired that their body feels 'beaten' down. The first character 疲 (pí) has the radical 疒 (illness) on the left, suggesting a state of being unwell or weakened, while 惫 (bèi) sounds like 'beaten', reinforcing the image of exhaustion.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 疲惫 (píbèi) with similar words like 累 (lèi), which means tired but is less intense. This word is more formal and is commonly used in written contexts, such as literature or news articles. It is also frequently used with verbs like 'feel' (感觉 gǎnjué) or 'be' (是 shì).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 疲惫 connects with other vocabulary related to emotions and physical states, such as 精疲力竭 (jīngpílìjié, exhausted) or 累 (lèi, tired). Students should focus on understanding its nuances in different contexts, especially in formal language.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of hard work is highly valued, and expressing fatigue can sometimes carry a connotation of dedication and effort, making 疲惫 a term that reflects both struggle and commitment.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 疲惫 with 累 (lèi) and use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我很累' (wǒ hěn lèi) is fine for casual use, but using '我很疲惫' (wǒ hěn píbèi) in an informal setting may sound overly dramatic.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 疲惫
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Grammar Patterns of 疲惫
疲惫 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 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.
They may feel tired and though outwardly calm, can be irritable.
8
邦伯里重重地倒在了床上，让他疲惫的双脚休息一下。
bāng bó lǐ zhòng zhòng dì dǎo zài le chuáng shàng， ， ràng tā pí bèi de shuāng jiǎo xiū xī yī。
Bunbury flopped down upon the bed and rested his tired feet.
9
“还有别的吗？”科拉姆问。凯瑟琳疲惫地摇了摇头。
“ “ huán yǒu bié de？” ma ？” kē lā。 mǔ wèn 。 kǎi sè lín pí bèi dì yáo。
"Anything else?" Colum asked. Kathryn shook her head wearily.
10
站一整天的确会把人累得疲惫不堪.
zhàn yī zhěng tiān de què huì bǎ rén léi dé pí bèi bù kān.
Standing on your feet all day really fags you out.
Cultural Notes for 疲惫
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of hard work is highly valued, and expressing fatigue can sometimes carry a connotation of dedication and effort, making 疲惫 a term that reflects both struggle and commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions about 疲惫
Yes, 疲惫 can refer to both physical and mental exhaustion, making it applicable in discussions about emotional fatigue.
While it can be used in conversation, it is more commonly found in written texts, due to its formal tone.
Synonyms include 累 (lèi), 精疲力竭 (jīngpílìjié), and 疲倦 (píjuàn), each with slightly different connotations.
