How to Write 贵 (guì) — Meaning “Expensive; noble; your (honorific)”

Q: Can you give a memory trick to remember 贵?

Imagine a precious shell (贝) placed in the middle (中) of a treasure chest – it is very valuable. This helps you remember that 贵 means 'expensive' or 'valuable'.

Q: What should I watch out for when writing 贵?

The top part looks like 中 (middle), but instead of a vertical line through the mouth, there is a horizontal stroke. A common mistake is to write it with a vertical line, so practice the horizontal stroke carefully.

Q: How is 贵 different from similar characters like 贡 and 财?

贵 has 中 on top and 贝 on bottom, meaning 'expensive' or 'noble'. 贡 has 工 (work) on top and means 'tribute', while 财 has 贝 on the left and 才 (talent) on the right, meaning 'wealth'.

Q: When is 贵 used in modern Chinese, and are there cultural notes?

贵 appears in polite phrases like 贵姓 (guì xìng, 'your honorable surname') to show respect when asking someone's name. It is also used in 昂贵 (áng guì, 'expensive') for high prices. Using 贵 in questions is considered very courteous.

Q: What common words use 贵?

Common words containing 贵 include: 贵姓 (guì xìng) — Your honorable surname; 昂贵 (áng guì) — Expensive.; 宝贵 (bǎo guì) — Valuable or precious..

guì HSK Level 1 9 strokes Radical: 贝

贵 (guì) means "Expensive; noble; your (honorific)" in Chinese. It has 9 strokes with the radical 贝, and is HSK Level 1.

Rated 3.5/5 in difficulty (challenging).

Harder than 83% of HSK Level 1 characters.

Appears in 3+ common words including 贵姓 (guì xìng), 昂贵 (áng guì), 宝贵 (bǎo guì).

Due to its 9 strokes, Hanzi Writer's error detection shows 贵 requires focused practice — most learners need 10+ attempts for consistent accuracy.

Practice Writing 贵 (guì)

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

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How to Write 贵

The character 贵 (guì) is written with 9 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 贝 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.

What Does guì (贵) Mean in Chinese?

贵 means Expensive; noble; your (honorific).

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

Character Data

Character	贵
Pinyin	guì (gui)
Meaning	Expensive; noble; your (honorific)
Strokes	9
Radical	贝
HSK Level	1
Difficulty	3.5/5

Origin of 贵

贵 combines the radical 贝 (shell, ancient money) with a top component that originally depicted hands holding a precious object or bundle. This structure conveys the idea of value and high cost, leading to meanings like 'expensive', 'noble', and the honorific 'your'.

💡 Memory Tip: Picture a noble person with a fancy hat (the top part) standing on a pile of shells (贝) to show they are expensive and esteemed.

Common Words with 贵

贵姓 guì xìng

Your honorable surname

昂贵 áng guì

Expensive.

宝贵 bǎo guì

Valuable or precious.

Example Sentences

请问您贵姓？

qǐng wèn nín guì xìng

May I ask your surname?

这件衣服太昂贵了。

zhè jiàn yī fú tài áng guì le

This piece of clothing is too expensive.

这是一个宝贵的经验。

zhè shì yí gè bǎo guì de jīng yàn

This is a valuable experience.

Similar Characters Comparison

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Radical
贵 (current)	guì	9	贝
贡	gòng	7	贝
财	cái	7	贝
责	zé	8	贝

Practice Writing 贵 (guì)

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

✨ Animated stroke order · Handwriting recognition · HSK-graded practice · Free to use

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Frequently Asked Questions about 贵

What is the structure of 贵, and how do its parts relate to its meaning?

贵 is made of two parts: the top is 中 (zhōng, middle) and the bottom is 贝 (bèi, shell/money). Together, they suggest something that is central and connected to value, leading to meanings like 'expensive' or 'noble'.

Can you give a memory trick to remember 贵?

What should I watch out for when writing 贵?

How is 贵 different from similar characters like 贡 and 财?

When is 贵 used in modern Chinese, and are there cultural notes?

What common words use 贵?

How to Write 贵 (guì) — Meaning “Expensive; noble; your (honorific)”

Practice Writing 贵 (guì)

How to Write 贵

What Does guì (贵) Mean in Chinese?

Character Data

Origin of 贵

Common Words with 贵

Example Sentences

Similar Characters Comparison

Practice Writing 贵 (guì)

Frequently Asked Questions about 贵

More HSK Level 1 Characters

Characters with Radical 贝

Other 9-Stroke Characters