HSK 4, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 阝, rank #988, Hard
péi(pei2) T2
1to accompany
2to keep sb company
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March 24, 2026
陪péi(pei2)
The character 陪 (péi) means 'to accompany' or 'to keep someone company.' It is commonly used in contexts where one person provides companionship or support to another, such as accompanying a friend to an event or assisting someone in need. The nuance often implies a sense of friendship or closeness.
Strokes10Radical阝Frequency#988DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, companionship is highly valued, and the act of accompanying someone can signify care and support. For instance, it's common for family members to accompany each other to medical appointments.
Memory Tip
Imagine a friend named 'Pei' who always accompanies you wherever you go, providing support and company. The character 陪 looks like a person (陪) beside another, symbolizing the act of staying together.
Meanings of 陪
péi(pei2)
1to accompany
2to keep sb company
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 陪
陪Simplified
10Strokes
阝Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#988Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRB2
Podcast: 陪
Podcast: 陪
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AI Study Notes for 陪
Quick Contrast
陪 (péi) vs 伴 (bàn) — use 陪 when emphasizing the act of accompanying someone, while 伴 highlights a more general sense of being a companion or partner.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a friend named 'Pei' who always accompanies you wherever you go, providing support and company. The character 陪 looks like a person (陪) beside another, symbolizing the act of staying together.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 陪 (péi) with 赔 (péi), which means 'to compensate.' 陪 is more informal, often used in casual conversations. Common collocations include 陪伴 (péi bàn - to accompany) and 陪同 (péi tóng - to accompany someone formally).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 陪 connects well with other verbs that convey actions related to social interactions, such as 带 (dài - to bring) and 送 (sòng - to send). Focus on practicing its usage in sentences to enhance conversational skills.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, companionship is highly valued, and the act of accompanying someone can signify care and support. For instance, it's common for family members to accompany each other to medical appointments.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 陪 (péi) with 赔 (péi). For example, saying '我陪你的钱' (wǒ péi nǐ de qián - I accompany your money) is incorrect; it should be '我陪你' (wǒ péi nǐ - I accompany you).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 陪
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Grammar Patterns of 陪
陪 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
He would have a nurse in constant attendance day and night.
Cultural Notes for 陪
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, the act of accompanying someone often signifies strong friendship or loyalty. It is common for friends to accompany each other during important events such as weddings or ceremonies, reflecting their support.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, companionship is highly valued, and the act of accompanying someone can signify care and support. For instance, it's common for family members to accompany each other to medical appointments.
Word Family of 陪
Words Containing This Character20
陪péito accompany
陪审团jury陪審團
失陪goodbye (modest formula)
陪伴péibànto accompany
陪同péitóngto accompany
陪审员juror陪審員
奉陪to keep sb company
陪葬péizàngto be buried with or next to dead person (of deceased's partner, or of funerary objects)
陪练training partner陪練
陪衬to set off陪襯
陪读to accompany one's child or spouse who is studying overseas陪讀
陪酒to drink along (with sb)
陪嫁dowry
陪侍to accompany
陪都secondary capital
陪葬品funerary objects (items buried together with the dead)
陪送dowry
陪床to look after a hospitalized loved one
久陪to accompany over long term
陪奁dowry陪奩
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 陪 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 陪
While both 陪 (péi) and 伴 (bàn) can mean 'to accompany', 陪 emphasizes the act of keeping someone company, whereas 伴 often refers to companionship in a broader sense. For example, 伴 is used in terms like 伴侣 (bànlǚ), meaning 'partner' or 'companion'.
Yes, 陪 (péi) can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is appropriate when discussing social engagements or professional situations where you are accompanying someone, such as in business meetings or events.
陪 (péi) means 'to accompany' or 'to keep someone company'. It can also imply assisting someone in various contexts. For example, you might use it when talking about spending time with a friend or supporting someone during a task.
You can use 陪 (péi) in a sentence like '我陪你去商店' (Wǒ péi nǐ qù shāngdiàn), which means 'I will accompany you to the store.' It is often used with another person to indicate that you are joining them for an activity.
You can say '我陪你去' (wǒ péi nǐ qù), which means 'I'll accompany you to go.'
Generally, 陪 is more informal; in formal contexts, you might use 陪同 (péi tóng) instead.
No, 陪 specifically refers to accompanying people, not objects.
