() - Bi — to assist & to aid

Tone 4

bì | 12 strokes | radical:

·

Bi — to assist;

to aid;

originally refers to a tool for straightening bows, extended to mean assisting a ruler or correcting faults.

Bi — to assistto aidoriginally refers to a tool for straightening bows,

Usage highlights

to assist a rulerto remonstrate and assistGrand Tutorloyal ministerto correct and assistassisting minister

Synonyms

  • to assist; to support
  • to help; to aid
  • to assist; to aid

Antonyms

  • to disturb; to create chaos
  • to betray; to rebel

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He served as an assistant to the emperor (辅弼).
  • The minister remonstrated with the king (弼谏).
  • The official title 'Grand Tutor' was sometimes called 太弼.
  • A loyal minister who assists the sovereign (弼臣).

Collocations

  • to assist a ruler(弼君)
  • to remonstrate and assist(弼谏)
  • Grand Tutor (official title)(太弼)
  • loyal minister(弼臣)
  • to correct and assist(弼正)
  • assisting minister(弼辅)

Idioms

  • To assist the sovereign and benefit the people(弼君益民)
  • Loyal ministers and virtuous assistants(忠臣弼士)
  • To correct faults and assist with governance(弼过佐治)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally a tool for straightening bows in ancient China, later metaphorically extended to mean assisting a ruler in governing.
  • In imperial contexts, '弼' was associated with high-ranking officials who advised and corrected the emperor.
  • The character carries connotations of loyalty, wisdom, and moral rectitude in classical Chinese political culture.

FAQ