How to write 备 (bèi, “to prepare”)
备 (bèi), an HSK 2 character, means “to prepare” and “fully”. It is HSK 2 in the 2025 syllabus, up from level 1 in the 2021 standard. The traditional form is 備, 12 strokes instead of 8. On its own it is an HSK 7-9 word; it also forms 准备 (“preparation”), 具备 (“to possess”) and 设备 (“equipment”). Japanese keeps the traditional 備, read bi (“equip”).
- Pinyin
- bèi
- Strokes
- 8
- HSK
- 2
- Radical
- 夂 (“go slowly”)
- Traditional
- 備
Stroke by stroke
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
As a top-bottom character it splits into 夂 (“go slowly”, the radical), strokes 1–3; 田 (“field”), strokes 4–8, written the top first.
- topdown and left
- toprightwards → down and left
- toprightwards
- leftdown and right → downwards
- leftrightwards → downwards
- bottomrightwards
- centerdownwards
- bottomrightwards
Traditional form
- Simplified
- 备 · 8 strokes
- Traditional
- 備 · 12 strokes · see its strokes
Trace it
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Pinyin and meaning
| Pinyin | Meanings | Traditional | In words |
|---|---|---|---|
| bèi fourth tone | (bound form) to prepare; to equip; (literary) fully; completely | 備 | 准备 具备 设备 备用 |
- HSK 2025 syllabus
- level 2
- 2021 standard
- level 1
- HSK 2.0
- in a level 2 word
- Words with it
- 102 in CC-CEDICT
Words with 备
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 备 備 | bèi | to prepare; to equip HSK 7-9 |
| 准备 準備 | zhǔnbèi | preparation; to prepare HSK 2 |
| 具备 具備 | jùbèi | to possess; to have HSK 5 |
| 设备 設備 | shèbèi | equipment; facilities HSK 5 |
| 备用 備用 | bèiyòng | reserve; spare HSK 6 |
| 装备 裝備 | zhuāngbèi | equipment; to equip HSK 6 |
| 配备 配備 | pèibèi | to allocate; to provide HSK 6 |
| 筹备 籌備 | chóubèi | preparations; to get ready for sth HSK 6 |
| 后备 後備 | hòubèi | reserve; backup HSK 7-9 |
| 备课 備課 | bèikè | to do one's lesson preparation HSK 7-9 |
HSK words first (CC-CEDICT).
Practice sheet
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HSK 2, in list order: