Definition
必 (bì) is a formal, literary adverb meaning 'certainly, necessarily, must'. Compared to the everyday 一定 (yīdìng 'surely') and 必须 (bìxū 'must'), 必 is more concise and often appears before a single verb or in set phrases such as 必不可少. It emphasizes logical certainty or necessity, not just obligation.
adverb
certainlymustnecessarilywill (expressing necessity or certainty)
Easily confused
- 总zǒnglook-alike(adverb) always; invariably
- 比bǐsound-alike(preposition) used to compare differences, meaning 'more ... than'
- 闭bìsound-aliketo close, to shut
- 笔bǐsound-alikewriting instrument (pen, pencil, brush)
- 逼bīsound-aliketo force, to compel (someone to do something)
- 避bìsound-aliketo avoid; to evade; to keep away from; to shun
Examples
- 。tā bìdìng huì lái.He will certainly come.
- ，。Zhǐyào nǔlì, bìdìng yǒu shōuhuò.If you work hard, there will certainly be rewards.
- 。Zhè jiàn shì nǐ bìxū zuò hǎo.You must do this matter well.
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