Chinese word

边

Pronunciation

Pinyinbiān

Meaning

  • nounarea

Example

这边很安静。zhè biān hěn ān jìng

This area is very quiet.

Illustration for 边 (area)

More examples

你要去哪边？nǐ yào qù nǎ biān

Which way are you going?

Core concept

One side of something and the space close to that side form one connected location.

Common phrases

  • 哪边nǎ biān

    which way

  • 右边yòu biān

    right side

  • 前边qián biān

    front

Similar words

旁边páng biān: The area right next to a person or thing.
左边zuǒ biān: The area to the left of a person or thing.
右边yòu biān: The area to the right of a person or thing.
前面qián miàn: The area in front of a person or thing.

Definition in Chinese

边 名词；指物的一侧、边界或靠近某处的区域，在口语中常用来指示方位或场所，例如“这边”“那边”。biān míng cí zhǐ wù de yí cè biān jiè huò kào jìn mǒu chù de qū yù zài kóu yǔ zhōng cháng yòng lái zhǐ shì fāng wèi huò cháng suǒ lì rú zhè biān nà biān

Word origin

The word 边 (biān, "edge") develops from naming an outer boundary to naming the place beside or around it.

Usage tips

  • The word is useful in everyday pointing and choosing because it can show where a person or thing is located without naming an exact spot.

Other meanings

  • sidenoun
  • surroundingsnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word