批
Character Story & Explanation
批 has been used since at least the Tang Dynasty in official documents to mean 'to endorse or annotate by authority'. Today, it appears daily in phrases like '领导批了' ('The boss approved it') or '老师批改作业' ('The teacher grades homework'). A well-known idiom is 批评 (pīpíng) — 'to criticize', historically rooted in Mao-era political campaigns but now widely used for constructive feedback. In digital life, WeChat Work and DingTalk even display '已批' (‘already approved’) after document reviews.
The character evolved from seal script, where 扌 (hand) + 比 (to compare/align) suggested 'comparing and judging with the hand' — a documented semantic compound, not pictographic. No oracle-bone form survives, but bronze inscriptions show early use in administrative contexts for verifying records.
Hi students! Let’s learn 批 (pī), a Level 4 HSK character with 7 strokes and the hand radical 扌 — telling us it involves an action done *with the hand*. While its basic dictionary meaning is 'to ascertain' or 'to examine and approve', in modern usage it most commonly means 'to approve formally' or 'to comment on (e.g., homework, documents)'. Think of a teacher marking papers — that red pen stroke? That’s 批!
This character carries authority and judgment: it implies careful review before giving approval or feedback. It’s not casual — you wouldn’t ‘批’ a text message. You’ll see it in offices, schools, and government contexts where decisions require official sign-off. Its tone is formal but neutral, not inherently positive or negative — a '批注' (annotation) can be helpful, while a '驳批' (rejection) is firm.
Remember: 批 always suggests *active evaluation*, not passive acceptance. When combined with other characters, it often forms verbs like 批准 (to approve) or nouns like 批次 (batch). The hand radical reminds us this is a deliberate, human action — not automatic or algorithmic. As you practice writing it, notice how the first three strokes form the 'hand' shape — a gentle hook, then two quick slants — grounding the whole character in intentionality.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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