How to Write 槟 (bīn/bīng) — Meaning “Betel nut”

Imagine a guest (宾) arriving at your home and bringing a betel nut from a tree (木) as a gift. This visualizes both the tree radical and the guest component. The surprise present helps you remember 槟 means betel nut.

Write the left radical 木 first as a narrow vertical shape, then the right part 宾 which is wider and has 10 strokes. Pay attention to the roof (宀) covering the lower parts like 刀 (a knife) and 贝 (shell). A common mistake is making the 木 too wide, so keep it slim to balance the character.

槟 (bīn) contains 宾 on the right and means betel nut. 棉 (mián) has 帛 (silk) on the right and means cotton. 棋 (qí) has 其 (qí) on the right and means chess. Visually, the right-side components are distinct: 宾, 帛, and 其 change both the meaning and pronunciation.

槟 appears in the word 槟榔 (bīng láng, betel nut), which is chewed as a mild stimulant in parts of southern China and Southeast Asia. Note the pronunciation shift: 槟 is normally bīn but in 槟榔 it is pronounced bīng. It also names the city 槟城 (bīn chéng, Penang) in Malaysia.

Common words containing 槟 include: 槟榔 (bīng láng) — Betel nut; 槟城 (bīn chéng) — Penang; 槟榔树 (bīng láng shù) — Betel nut tree.