八 Stroke Order — How to Write 八
八 is written in 2 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 八, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
八 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- bā
Meanings of 八 in Chinese
1
bā八
The number "eight" (seven plus one); often used in phrases like "八面玲珑" to describe someone who is tactful and gets along well with everyone.
他是一个八面玲珑的人，走到哪里都吃得开。
He is a smooth operator, tactful and able to get along well wherever he goes.
Common Words and Phrases with 八
1
Sworn brothers or sisters; a very close friendship like siblings through a formal vow.
他们从小一起长大，情同手足，如今更是八拜之交，彼此扶持。
They grew up together, like siblings, and now they are even sworn brothers, supporting each other.
2
Eight-treasure pickles, a dish made with eight mixed ingredients (such as walnuts, lettuce, almonds, cucumber, peanuts, sesame, etc.).
这道八宝菜是用多种时令蔬菜和坚果精心烹制而成的，味道鲜美。
This eight-treasure dish is meticulously prepared with various seasonal vegetables and nuts, offering a delicious flavor.
3
Bābǎofàn is an eight-treasure rice pudding, a steamed glutinous rice dish often containing various ingredients like dried fruits, lotus seeds, and longan.
过年的时候，家家户户都会准备美味的八宝饭，寓意团圆和甜蜜
During Chinese New Year, every household prepares delicious Eight-Treasure Rice Pudding, symbolizing reunion and sweetness.
4
Babaoshan (Bābǎo Shān) is Beijing's most famous cemetery, often used figuratively to refer to graves and death.
每年清明节，许多市民都会前往八宝山扫墓，缅怀逝去的亲人。
Every Qingming Festival, many citizens visit Babaoshan to sweep graves and honor their departed family members.
5
A box for collecting various precious items; a jewel case or treasure box.
奶奶的八宝箱里珍藏着许多旧照片和纪念品，每一件都充满了故事。
Grandma's treasure chest holds many old photos and souvenirs, each full of stories.
6
Eight times
这个新产品的效率是旧型号的八倍。
The efficiency of this new product is eight times that of the old model.
7
for many generations; a very long time
我八辈子都没见过这么美丽的花朵。
I haven't seen such beautiful flowers in ages.
8
An octagon is a plane polygon with eight angles and eight sides.
这座建筑的中央大厅采用了独特的八边形设计，显得非常宏伟。
The central hall of this building features a unique octagonal design, appearing very grand.
9
the eight remote areas (beyond China); the whole world
他的歌声传遍八表，感动了无数人的心。
His singing voice resonated across the vast world, touching countless hearts.
10
irrelevant; off-topic; not to the point
小明今天在课堂上发言，说得八不挨，老师都听糊涂了
Xiaoming's speech in class today was completely rambling and off-topic, even the teacher was confused.
11
12
The eight virtues (filial piety, brotherly love, loyalty, trustworthiness, propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame) upheld in traditional Chinese society.
古人常教导子弟要修身养性，遵循八德
Ancient people often taught their children to cultivate their character and adhere to the eight virtues.
13
A man of great talent, especially literary talent.
他自幼聪颖，诗词歌赋信手拈来，被誉为当代的八斗才
He was intelligent from a young age, composing poetry and odes effortlessly, and was hailed as a contemporary 'eight pecks of talent'.
14
All directions; the eight points of the compass (north, south, east, west, northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest).
游客从八方汇聚到这座美丽的城市，共同欣赏其独特的魅力。
Tourists converged from all directions upon this beautiful city, jointly appreciating its unique charm.
15
echo from all quarters; (of different parties) respond in concert, often with a negative connotation.
为了让新产品发布会更具影响力，策划团队在宣传上做到八方呼应，线上线下媒体同步发力，吸引了大量关注。
To make the new product launch more impactful, the planning team ensured a coordinated response from all sides in their promotion, with online and offline media working in sync, attracting significant attention.
More words with 八
- gāo高bā八dù度high octave, an octave higher
- qiū丘bā八soldier, military man
- sān三bā八Gossipy, Nosy
- wáng亡bā八bastard, scoundrel
- wáng王bā八cuckold, bastard
- shí十bā八luó罗hàn汉The Eighteen Arhats, The Eighteen Lohans
- bā八guà卦gossip, Eight Trigrams
- dǎng党bā八gǔ股Party jargon, Party formalism
- dī低bā八dù度Down an octave, Octave lower
- là腊bā八dòu豆Laba soy beans, Fermented soy beans
- là腊bā八zhōu粥Laba rice porridge, Laba congee
- shí十bā八kāi开18mo, octodecimo
- bā八yīn音eight categories of musical instruments, music
- bā八diǎn点eight o'clock, eight points
- bā八jiǎo角star anise, octagon
- bā八suì岁eight years old
- bā八yuè月August
- wàn万ér儿bā八qiān千eight to ten thousand, around ten thousand
- bā八gè个eight, eight of them
- bā八shí十eighty
Idioms with 八
- bā八bǎi百gū孤hán寒numerous impoverished scholars
- bā八bài拜wèi为jiāo交become sworn brothers or sisters
- bā八dǒu斗zhī之cái才exceptional literary talent
- bā八fāng方fēng风yǔ雨turbulent and unpredictable situation
- bā八fāng方zhī支yuán援support and aid from all directions
- bā八miàn面jiàn见guāng光worldly-wise and tactful in all situations
- bā八miàn面líng玲lóng珑smooth and slick in social dealings
- bā八miàn面shǐ驶fēng风highly adaptable and skillful in dealing with people
- bā八miàn面shòu受dí敌Attacked from all sides
- bā八miàn面wēi威fēng风radiating grandeur and authority
- bā八miàn面yuán圆tōng通smooth and diplomatic in all dealings
- bā八miàn面zhāng张luo罗adept at handling all social situations
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Open the tool →Questions about 八
What does 八 mean in Chinese?
八 (bā) means “The number "eight" (seven plus one); often used in phrases like "八面玲珑" to describe someone who is tactful and gets along well with everyone” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 八?
八 is pronounced bā in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 八 have?
八 has 2 strokes.
How do you write 八?
八 is written in 2 strokes, starting from the radical 八. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 八?
The radical of 八 is 八, and 八 is an ideographic compound.
