拜(bài): to bow to
HSK 59 strokes
Readingsbàibái
to bow to
Stroke order animation
Character information
- Pinyin
- bài / bái
- Meaning
- to bow to; to pay one's respects; (bound form) to extend greetings (on a specific occasion); to make a courtesy call; (bound form) (of a monarch) to appoint sb to (a position) by performing a ceremony; to acknowledge sb as one's (master, godfather etc); (used before some verbs to indicate politeness)
- Strokes
- 9
- HSK level
- HSK 5
- Traditional
- Same
Origin & structure
Where 拜 comes from and how its parts fit together.
Ideograph
⿰手手Two hands 手 put together in respect
A combination of parts whose meanings add up to the whole.
Made of
Parts are arranged left to right.
How to write 拜 step by step
9 strokes — each frame adds one stroke, shown in dark ink over the lighter ones.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
Words with 拜
Common words using 拜 — tap any character to open its stroke-order page.
bài拜huì会
HSK 7-9(often used in the context of diplomacy) to meet with; to pay a visit to; to call on
Open 拜会 page →to worship; to pray (esp. in a regular religious gathering at a church or mosque)
Open 做礼拜 page →Related characters
Ready to master 拜?
Trace 拜 stroke by stroke in the online practice tool, or turn it into a printable worksheet PDF with Tianzige practice grids, pinyin, and stroke-order breakdowns.