How to Write 畀 (bì) — Meaning “To give / To grant”

Picture a field (田) with a long vertical line going down from its center, like a hand reaching down to give a gift. The reason or cause (由) for giving is that the field produces something. This visual helps connect the shape to the meaning of 'to give'.

Start by writing 田 with 5 strokes, then draw a vertical stroke down through the center of the 田. Next, add a horizontal stroke crossing the vertical near the bottom, followed by two diagonal strokes (left and right) to complete the lower part. A common mistake is making the vertical stroke off-center or the bottom horizontal too long.

畀 has a vertical stroke through 田 and a complex bottom part (like 由 with a cross), while 男 has 力 (strength) below meaning 'male', and 甸 has a semicircle (勹) meaning 'outskirts'. Visually, 畀's bottom is taller and more intricate, and its meaning of 'to give' is unique compared to the other two.

畀 is a classical character not in the HSK list, used mainly in formal or literary contexts such as 畀予 (to grant) and 畀付 (to entrust). It appears in historical idioms like 投畀豺虎 (throw to the tigers), but you will rarely encounter it in everyday conversation.

Common words containing 畀 include: 畀予 (bì yǔ) — To grant / To bestow; 畀付 (bì fù) — To entrust / To hand over; 投畀 (tóu bì) — to throw away; to cast out.