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必需 (bì xū) — to need; to require; to be essential (as a verb)

Definition

必需 (bìxū) is the verb 'to need / to require', focusing on something indispensable — stronger than 需要 ('need' in general). Often used in patterns like 必需 + noun or 必需的.

verb
to needto requireto be essential (as a verb)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 必需。
    Rén lèi bì xū kōng qì hé shuǐ cái néng shēng cún.
    Humans need air and water to survive.
  • 必需。
    Zhè xiē gōng jù shì shī gōng bì xū de.
    These tools are essential for construction.
  • ，必需。
    Chū guó liú xué qián, nǐ bì xū hù zhào hé qiān zhèng.
    Before studying abroad, you need a passport and a visa.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

必bìmust
需xūneed

The sense of 必, meaning must, joins 需, meaning need, to describe what cannot be left out.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 必 comes from the handle on the right side of a weapon, with two extra strokes added to its sides.

Open 必 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

需 originally showed 天, here a person, under 雨, rain, as someone getting wet.

Open 需 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5HSK 2.0 Level 5

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