Chinese word

呗

Pronunciation

Pinyinbei

Meaning

  • particlego ahead

Example

你喜欢就吃呗。nǐ xǐ huān jiù chī bei

If you like it, go ahead and eat.

Illustration for 呗 (go ahead)

More examples

你想去就去呗。nǐ xiǎng qù jiù qù bei

If you want to go, go ahead.

Core concept

A relaxed nudge that shows an action is acceptable without pressing for it.

Common phrases

  • 想去就去呗xiǎng qù jiù qù bei

    go if you want to

  • 想吃就吃呗xiǎng chī jiù chī bei

    eat if you want to

Similar words

吧ba: A sentence ending that makes a proposal or command gentler and seeks agreement.
嘛ma: A sentence ending that points to something natural or already clear and seeks acceptance.

Definition in Chinese

呗是口语句末语气词，用以弱化命令或强制，表达“随你吧/就那样做吧”的劝说或认可。bei shì kóu yǔ jù mò yǔ qì cí yòng yǐ ruò huà mìng lìng huò qiáng zhì biǎo dá suí nǐ ba jiù nà yàng zuò ba de quàn shuō huò rèn kě

Word origin

呗 (bei, "sentence-final particle") uses 口 (kǒu, "mouth") + 贝 (bèi, "shell"), a sound-based written formation for a colloquial speech particle.

Usage tips

  • Its relaxed tone suits casual talk, but the same softening can sound too familiar in a formal exchange or when speaking to a person of higher status.

Other meanings

  • okayparticle
  • might as wellparticle

Word lists with this word