边 biān
“side; edge; margin”
adverb, noun2021 list level 2Traditional 邊Measure word 个
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
边 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 11: 边 biān — Level 1; official annotation 1 (名、后缀). PDF page 80
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 边
边 has two common readings. Read biān, it is a noun meaning 'side, edge, border' (路边, 河边); 旁边 is also pángbiān with the full tone. Read neutral bian as a suffix in location words such as 前边 and 东边, meaning the side or direction of a place; these forms are very common in everyday location phrases.
例句Example sentences
- 马路边有一个公交车站。mǎ lù biān yǒu yí gè gōng jiāo chē zhàn.There is a bus stop at the side of the road.
- 我家旁边有一家超市。wǒ jiā páng biān yǒu yì jiā chāo shì.There is a supermarket next to my home.
- 教学楼前边是一个大操场。jiào xué lóu qián biān shì yí gè dà cāo chǎng.In front of the teaching building is a large playground.
易混词Easily confused
边vs旁边
旁边 is a complete location word meaning 'beside/next to'; don't add another 边 to it (not 旁边边). 边 alone as a noun means an edge or side, as in 路边.
义项All meanings
- biān: side; edge; margin; border; boundary; simultaneously
- bian: suffix of a noun of locality