Definitions

bei (particle) modal particle indicating 'obviously' or 'of course'
bài (verb) to chant (Buddhist texts)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "呗" derives from its traditional form "唄", structurally composed of the mouth radical (口) indicating speech or sound, and the component "貝" serving primarily a phonetic function. Its etymology is linked to the transliteration of the Sanskrit word "bhāṣā", originally designating the act of Buddhist liturgical chanting or hymn singing. Over centuries, the semantic scope of the character shifted from this specific religious context to adopt a grammatical role in contemporary usage, where it operates as a sentence-final modal particle conveying suggestion, reluctant agreement, or a tone of obviousness.

Example Sentences Hide

你喜欢就去

Nǐ xǐhuān jiù qù bei.

If you like it, then go ahead.

我们去散步

Wǒmen qù sànbù bei.

Let's go for a walk.

他知道了就行

Tā zhīdào le jiù xíng bei.

As long as he knows, it's fine.

这件事很简单

Zhè jiàn shì hěn jiǎndān bei.

This matter is very simple.

既然来了,就玩得开心

Jìrán lái le, jiù wán de kāixīn bei.

Since you're here, just have fun.

如果你不想说,就别说了

Rúguǒ nǐ bù xiǎng shuō, jiù bié shuō le bei.

If you don't want to talk, then don't say it.

大家都同意了,你还犹豫什么

Dàjiā dōu tóngyì le, nǐ hái yóuyù shénme bei.

Everyone has agreed, so what are you hesitating for.

鉴于时间紧迫,我们必须尽快决定

Jiànyú shíjiān jǐnpò, wǒmen bìxū jǐnkuài juédìng bei.

Given the time constraint, we must decide as soon as possible.