憋

biē
心 + 敝
HSK 2.0Level 6
HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

biē (verb) to stifle; to restrain; to hold back
biē (verb) to hold in (urine; breath)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 心 represents the meaning and 敝 represents the sound.

Semantic: 心 Phonetic: 敝

About

憋 is a phono-semantic compound: 敝 provides the sound, while 心 (heart/mind) suggests the meaning. It describes physically holding something in, like suppressing breath or bodily functions, leading to a suffocating tightness, and psychologically it refers to bottling up emotions, anger, or frustration. The character captures the internal pressure and discomfort that come from being unable to release either physical or emotional distress, directly linking its structure to this dual sense.

Example Sentences Hide

我憋不住笑了。

Wǒ biē bù zhù xiào le.

I couldn't hold back my laughter.

房间里很憋闷。

Fáng jiān lǐ hěn biē mèn.

The room is very stifling.

他憋得脸都红了。

Tā biē de liǎn dōu hóng le.

He was so憋 that his face turned red.

我憋了一肚子话。

Wǒ biē le yī dù zi huà.

I have a belly full of words I'm holding back.

别憋在心里，说出来吧。

Bié biē zài xīn lǐ, shuō chū lái ba.

Don't hold it in your heart, say it out.

这种天气让人憋屈。

Zhè zhǒng tiān qì ràng rén biē qū.

This kind of weather makes people feel depressed.

他憋着气完成了任务。

Tā biē zhe qì wán chéng le rèn wù.

He held his breath and completed the task.

长期憋闷会影响健康。

Cháng qī biē mèn huì yǐng xiǎng jiàn kāng.

Long-term stifling can affect health.

Related Characters

Component: 心

心 想 意 总 感 必 思 怎 息 念 态 志 愿 急

Component: 敝

蔽 弊 瞥 撇 鳖 蹩 鼈 鱉 鷩 幣 彆 撆 斃 潎

Example Words

憋屈 憋尿 憋闷 憋气