鞭 Stroke Order — How to Write 鞭
鞭 is written in 18 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 革, 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.
鞭 Radical and Character Components
鞭 is a phono-semantic compound: 革 carries the meaning, while 便 indicates the sound.
Radical: 革 + 9 more strokes
鞭 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- biān
Meanings of 鞭 in Chinese
1
biān鞭
A whip; a flexible tool or device used to drive or control animals, or as an instrument for striking.
有些问题，即使有心帮助，我们也鞭长莫及
For some problems, even if we are willing to help, they are beyond our reach.
To whip, to flog; to urge on, to spur on (figurative).
他的话语鞭策着我努力学习。
His words spurred me on to study hard.
A long, thin object, similar to a whip in shape, used for specific purposes, such as a pointer or cane.
老师拿起教鞭，指着黑板上的字。
The teacher picked up the pointer and pointed to the words on the blackboard.
An ancient weapon, typically made of iron or steel, with segments and no sharp edge, used for striking or bludgeoning.
在武术表演中，他灵活地舞动着钢鞭。
In the martial arts performance, he skillfully wielded the steel mace.
A string of firecrackers, as in "firecrackers" or "small firecrackers."
春节期间，家家户户都会点燃鞭炮庆祝。
During the Spring Festival, every household lights firecrackers to celebrate.
Common Words and Phrases with 鞭
1
To urge, spur on, or prompt someone to greater effort or achievement.
老师的鼓励鞭策着他不断进步，最终取得了优异的成绩。
The teacher's encouragement spurred him on to continuous progress, and he ultimately achieved excellent results.
2
To flog or lash with a whip; to thrash.
古代的囚犯经常遭受鞭笞，这是他们惩罚的一部分。
Ancient prisoners often suffered flogging as a part of their punishment.
3
A traditional custom of whipping a symbolic 'spring ox' (often made of mud) to welcome the beginning of spring; also known as 'dǎchūn'.
在立春这一天，有些地方仍保留着鞭春的习俗，以此表达对新一年农业丰收的期盼。
On the day of Lichun, some regions still preserve the custom of ceremonially 'whipping the Spring Ox,' thereby expressing their hope for a bountiful agricultural harvest in the new year.
4
to strike repeatedly with a whip or similar instrument
牧羊人会轻轻鞭打羊群，引导它们走向正确的方向。
The shepherd would gently whip the flock to guide them in the right direction.
5
To unfairly burden or demand more from those who are already diligent and high-performing, often while less productive individuals are not held accountable or are even rewarded, signifying a system that punishes efficiency and discourages effort.
老板总是把最重要的项目交给小王，这简直是鞭打快牛，虽然他能力强，但这样下去迟早会吃不消的。
The boss always assigns the most critical projects to Xiao Wang, which is a classic case of whipping the fast ox; even though he is highly capable, he will eventually get overwhelmed if this continues.
6
a mark or scar left on the skin by a whip; a weal or lash mark
受惊的马背上留下了几道明显的鞭痕。
Several distinct whip marks were left on the back of the startled horse.
7
A firecracker or a string of small firecrackers.
过年的时候，孩子们喜欢放鞭炮。
During Chinese New Year, children enjoy setting off firecrackers.
8
Describes a speech, article, or analysis that is trenchant, penetrating, and incisive, offering deep insight and thorough reasoning.
这位教授对复杂理论的解读鞭辟入里，总能让学生们茅塞顿开。
The professor's incisive interpretation of complex theories always helps students achieve a sudden enlightenment.
9
To whip, flog, or lash someone; to strongly criticize.
失败的经历鞭挞着他，让他下定决心更加努力。
The experience of failure spurred him on, making him determined to work even harder.
10
to lash and call someone to account; to flog and reprimand
古代的学堂里，不听话的学生有时会因为顽皮被先生鞭责。
In ancient schools, disobedient students were sometimes whipped and reprimanded by the teacher for their mischief.
11
Beyond one's reach or ability; cannot do it much as one would like.
他虽然很想帮助远方的朋友，但距离太远，实在是鞭长莫及。
Although he really wanted to help his distant friend, the distance was too great, truly beyond his reach.
12
A whip is a tool, typically consisting of a handle and a flexible lash, used for striking or lashing.
牧羊人挥舞着鞭子，驱赶羊群回到羊圈。
The shepherd wielded his whip to drive the sheep back to the pen.
More words with 鞭
- gāng钢biān鞭steel mace
- jiào教biān鞭pointer, teaching rod
- mǎ马biān鞭whip, riding crop
- pí皮biān鞭a whip made of leather
- xiǎng响biān鞭A loud whip crack.
- zhú竹biān鞭bamboo rhizome
- niú牛biān鞭Bull's pizzle
- jìng静biān鞭Ceremonial whip, Whip used to command silence
- míng鸣biān鞭crack a whip, crack the whip
- xiān先biān鞭take the lead, be the first
- zhí执biān鞭To hold a whip, To drive
- zǔ祖biān鞭Zu Ti's whip, solemn vow
- biān鞭máo毛flagellum
- biān鞭pào炮shēng声firecracker sounds, the sound of firecrackers
- biān鞭shāo鞘whip sheath, whip case
- fàng放biān鞭pào炮set off firecrackers, light firecrackers
- niú牛biān鞭tāng汤Ox pizzle soup, Beef penis soup
- cè策mǎ马yáng扬biān鞭Spur the horse and crack the whip, Gallop ahead
Idioms with 鞭
- biān鞭bù不jí及fù腹beyond one's reach or influence
- biān鞭chī笞tiān天xià下dominate and control the entire world
- biān鞭cháng长bù不jí及beyond one's reach
- biān鞭cháng长jià驾yuǎn远a long way to go
- jué掘mù墓biān鞭shī尸dig up grave and flog corpse
- kuài快mǎ马jiā加biān鞭redouble efforts to accelerate progress
- xiān先wǒ我zhuó着biān鞭get a head start
- kuài快mǎ马yī一biān鞭A capable person responds quickly
- yuè跃mǎ马yáng扬biān鞭work with great vigor and enthusiasm
- biān鞭nú驽cè策jiǎn蹇humbly strive with limited ability
- biān鞭pì辟jìn近lǐ里analyze with great insight and thoroughness
- biān鞭bì辟xiàng向lǐ里delve deeply into an issue
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Open the tool →Questions about 鞭
What does 鞭 mean in Chinese?
鞭 (biān) means “A whip” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 鞭?
鞭 is pronounced biān in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 鞭 have?
鞭 has 18 strokes.
How do you write 鞭?
鞭 is written in 18 strokes, starting from the radical 革. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 鞭?
The radical of 鞭 is 革, and 鞭 is a phono-semantic compound.