批 (pī) · to criticize; to approve

Meanings

1 to criticize; to approve
2 batch; wholesale
3 measure word for batches or groups of goods or people

Characters

批

pī

batch; to criticize; to approve

Examples

HSK 4

老师批评了他。

Lǎoshī pīpíng le tā.

The teacher criticized him.

HSK 4

这批货质量很好。

Zhè pī huò zhìliàng hěn hǎo.

This batch of goods is high quality.

HSK 4

申请已经批准了。

Shēnqǐng yǐjīng pīzhǔn le.

The application has been approved.

Tips

usage

批 has contrasting compound meanings: criticise (批评, 批判) vs approve (批准). It also means a batch: 一批, 批发 (wholesale). Context tells you which sense applies.

Components

radical

扌 shǒu

hand (radical form)

Hand radical - original meaning of 批 was 'to slap with the hand', literally a striking gesture. From physical slapping the meaning extended to 'criticise / mark up / approve in writing' (the official's hand striking through with red ink), and finally to 'a batch' (a stroke of approval covering many items).

phonetic

比 bǐ

to compare

Phonetic - 比 bǐ → 批 pī (regular tonal/aspirate shift). 比 originally pictured two people side by side. The same phonetic also drives 毕 finish, 庇 shelter, 屁 fart, 砒 arsenic - all bǐ/pī family.