HSK 5 · Chinese hanzi
贝 — shell
- Reading
- bèi
- Meaning
- shell; cowrie; currency
- HSK level
- HSK 5
- Language
- Chinese
About this hanzi
贝 is a chinese hanzi character commonly studied at the HSK 5 level. Its primary reading is bèi and it means shell; cowrie; currency. To master it, see it in real Chinese content — import an article or YouTube video into InputDojo and every occurrence becomes a one-tap lookup.
贝 appears in everyday chinese words such as 宝贝 (treasure; precious baby) and 贝壳 (seashell, cowrie).
Chinese words containing 贝
Frequently asked questions
What does 贝 mean in Chinese?
贝 means shell; cowrie; currency in Chinese. It is one of the HSK 5 hanzi every learner meets at that level.
How is 贝 read?
贝 is read bèi. Reading it inside real words — 宝贝 and 贝壳 — is the fastest way to remember it.
What level is 贝 — is it HSK 5?
Yes. 贝 is on the official HSK 5 hanzi list, so it can appear in that exam's reading and vocabulary sections.
How do you use 贝 in a word?
A common word containing 贝 is 宝贝 (bǎobèi) — "treasure; precious baby". More examples are listed below, each with a one-tap dictionary entry.
How do I learn 贝 effectively?
Read it in context. Import any Chinese article or video into InputDojo and every occurrence of 贝 becomes a one-tap lookup with SRS flashcards, so you meet it in real sentences instead of a list.
More HSK 5 hanzi
Learn every HSK hanzi in context
InputDojo gives you the full HSK 1–9 hanzi list — plus one-tap lookups in any real Chinese content. Free to start.
Start free