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March 24, 2026
被告bèigào(bei4gao4)
The term '被告' refers to a defendant in a legal context, specifically the person accused of a crime in court. It is commonly used in discussions related to law, criminal justice, and civil lawsuits. The nuance of this term emphasizes the role of the individual facing allegations rather than a broader context of legal proceedings.
Frequency#2424DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the legal system has undergone significant changes over the years, especially with increased emphasis on legal rights. The role of the '被告' reflects the evolving nature of justice and societal views on accountability.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person being 'beaten' (被) by accusations while 'standing' (告) in court. Visualize them nervously awaiting their turn to defend themselves. This imagery helps connect the character's form to its meaning: '被' implies being subjected to something, and '告' relates to allegations.
Meanings of 被告
bèigào(bei4gao4)
1defendant
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About 被告
被告Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2424Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 被告
Podcast: 被告
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AI Study Notes for 被告
Quick Contrast
原告 (yuángào, plaintiff) - use '被告' when referring to the accused, not the person bringing the case.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person being 'beaten' (被) by accusations while 'standing' (告) in court. Visualize them nervously awaiting their turn to defend themselves. This imagery helps connect the character's form to its meaning: '被' implies being subjected to something, and '告' relates to allegations.
Usage Notes
When using '被告', ensure the context is clear that it pertains to legal matters, as it may be mistaken for other roles in a trial. It is generally used in formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversations. Common collocations include '被告人' (the defendant person) and '被告律师' (defense lawyer).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, '被告' is crucial for understanding legal discussions. Students should focus on its usage in legal terminology and practice forming sentences that include related words like '原告' (plaintiff) and '辩护' (defense).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the legal system has undergone significant changes over the years, especially with increased emphasis on legal rights. The role of the '被告' reflects the evolving nature of justice and societal views on accountability.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '被告' with '原告' (plaintiff) due to the similar structure. Remember that '被告' represents the accused, while '原告' is the accuser, so ensure to use them correctly in legal contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 被告
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Grammar Patterns of 被告
被告 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
The defendants decide to admit their guilt, but insist that there are extenuating circumstances.
Cultural Notes for 被告
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the legal system has undergone significant changes over the years, especially with increased emphasis on legal rights. The role of the '被告' reflects the evolving nature of justice and societal views on accountability.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the concept of a defendant is often associated with the presumption of innocence, while in some Chinese contexts, the focus may be more on the collective societal implications of the crime.
Frequently Asked Questions about 被告
It is pronounced as 'bèi gào', with the first syllable in the fourth tone and the second syllable in the fourth tone.
No, '被告' is a formal legal term and should be used in appropriate contexts like court discussions or legal studies.
The opposite would be '原告' (yuángào), which means plaintiff.
