琲 (bèi) - String of pearls & bead-like ornaments

琲Tone 4

bèi ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

傲不

琲 · bèi

String of pearls;

bead-like ornaments;

also refers to coffee (in Japanese usage).

String of pearlsbead-like ornamentsalso refers to coffee (in Japanese usage).

Usage highlights

String of pearlsBead curtainJade beadsPearl necklaceBead decorations

Synonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She wore a string of pearls (珠琲) around her neck.
  • The curtain was decorated with bead tassels (琲帘).
  • In Japanese, coffee is written as 珈琲 (though 琲 alone is rare for this meaning).
  • Ancient texts mention jade bead ornaments (玉琲).

Collocations

  • String of pearls(珠琲)
  • Bead curtain(琲帘)
  • Jade beads(玉琲)
  • Pearl necklace(琲串)
  • Bead decorations(琲饰)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to strings of pearls or bead ornaments in classical Chinese texts.
  • In modern Japanese, 琲 is used in the compound 珈琲 for 'coffee', though this is a phonetic borrowing.
  • Rarely used in contemporary Chinese outside of literary or specialized contexts.

FAQ