How to write 边 (biān, “side”)
边, an HSK 1 character, is read biān for “side” and “edge”, and also bian (“suffix of a noun of locality”). The traditional form is 邊, 18 strokes instead of 5. On its own it is an HSK 1 word; it also forms 外边 (“outside”), 这边 (“this side”) and 那边 (“over there”). Japanese keeps the traditional 邊, read hen (“edge”).
- Pinyin
- biān, bian
- Strokes
- 5
- HSK
- 1
- Radical
- 辶 (“walking”)
- Traditional
- 邊
Stroke by stroke
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
As a bottom-left wrap character it splits into 辶 (“walking”, the radical), strokes 3–5; 力 (“power”), strokes 1–2, written the inside first.
- centerrightwards → downwards
- topdownwards → down and left
- top leftdown and right
- leftrightwards → downwards
- bottom leftrightwards
Traditional form
- Simplified
- 边 · 5 strokes
- Traditional
- 邊 · 18 strokes · see its strokes
Trace it
Follow the numbers. Tracing help
Pinyin and meaning
| Pinyin | Meanings | Traditional | In words |
|---|---|---|---|
| biān first tone | side; edge; margin; border; boundary | 邊 | 这边 旁边 一边 路边 |
| bian neutral tone | suffix of a noun of locality | 邊 | 外边 那边 右边 左边 |
- HSK 2025 syllabus
- level 1
- 2021 standard
- level 1
- HSK 2.0
- in a level 2 word
- Words with it
- 166 in CC-CEDICT
Words with 边
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 边 邊 | biān | side; edge HSK 1 |
| 外边 外邊 | wàibian | outside; outer surface HSK 1 |
| 这边 這邊 | zhèbiān | this side; here HSK 1 |
| 那边 那邊 | nàbiān | over there; yonder HSK 1 |
| 右边 右邊 | yòubian | right side; right, to the right HSK 2 |
| 左边 左邊 | zuǒbian | left; the left side HSK 2 |
| 旁边 旁邊 | pángbiān | side; adjacent place HSK 2 |
| 一边 一邊 | yìbiān | one side; either side HSK 3 |
| 路边 路邊 | lùbiān | curb; roadside HSK 3 |
| 身边 身邊 | shēnbiān | at one's side; on hand HSK 3 |
HSK words first (CC-CEDICT).
Practice sheet
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HSK 1, in list order: