北 (běi) - Meaning, Stroke Order, Words & Examples

Q: What does 北 (běi) mean in Chinese?

The Chinese character 北 (běi) means "North". It is an HSK Level 1 character, with 5 strokes and the radical 匕.

Q: How do you write 北 stroke by stroke?

北 has 5 strokes. The radical is 匕. Follow the standard stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. Practice with stroke animation to build muscle memory.

Q: What's the difference between 北 and 化?

北 (běi) and 化 look similar but differ in meaning and usage. Check the radical and stroke count to tell them apart.

Q: What mistakes do learners make writing 北?

Common mistake: incorrect stroke order or miswriting the radical 匕. Pay attention to the proportion between components — keep the radical compact.

Q: What common words use 北?

Common words containing 北 include: 北京 (běi jīng) — Beijing; 北边 (běi biān) — North / To the north; 东北 (dōng běi) — Northeast.

How to Write 北

The character 北 (běi) is written with 5 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 匕 is one of its key components.

Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.

Meaning & Pronunciation

北 is pronounced běi in Mandarin Chinese. It means North.

As an HSK Level 1 character, 北 is among the first characters beginners learn.

Common Words with 北

北京 běi jīng

Beijing

北边 běi biān

North / To the north

东北 dōng běi

Northeast

Example Sentences

我在北京工作。

wǒ zài běi jīng gōng zuò

I work in Beijing.

学校在北边。

xué xiào zài běi biān

The school is in the north.

他是东北人。

tā shì dōng běi rén

He is from Northeast China.

Similar Characters

化 huà

Practice Writing 北 (běi)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 北 with real-time feedback.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 北

What does 北 (běi) mean in Chinese?

How do you write 北 stroke by stroke?

What's the difference between 北 and 化?

What mistakes do learners make writing 北?

What common words use 北?

How to Write 北 (běi)