Definition
碑 (bēi) is the general term for an upright inscribed stone slab, such as a stele, stone tablet, or monument. 墓碑 (mùbēi) specifically refers to a tombstone on a grave, while 纪念碑 (jìniànbēi) is a monument erected to commemorate a person or event. Use 碑 when the type is unspecified; the compounds specify the purpose.
noun
stelestone tabletmonument
Measure word · 块, 面
Easily confused
- 脾pílook-alikespleen
- 被bèisound-alike(preposition) used to mark passive voice, placed before the doer (or directly before the verb if the doer is omitted)
- 碎suìlook-alike(verb) to break into pieces; to shatter
- 背bèisound-aliketo memorize, to recite from memory
- 牌páilook-alikeplaying card, mahjong tile, or game piece
- 背bèisound-alike(noun) back (of the body)
- 倍bèisound-alike(classifier) times, -fold (indicates multiplier after a number)
- 北běisound-alikenorth
- 备bèisound-aliketo prepare; to equip
Examples
- 碑。Zhè zuò bēi shì sānbǎi nián qián lì de.This monument was erected three hundred years ago.
- 碑。bēi shàng de wénzì yǐjīng móhu le.The characters on the stele have become illegible.
- 碑。Tāmen dǎsuàn wèi lièshì lì yí kuài bēi.They plan to erect a stone tablet for the martyrs.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.