surely, certainly

JLPT N5 5 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Usage of

The character (bì) is used to express necessity or certainty, often translated as "must," "surely," or "necessarily." It is a strong modal adverb or adjective that emphasizes something is unavoidable or required.

Common Collocations

  • 必须 (bìxū): must, have to — used to express obligation or necessity.
  • 必然 (bìrán): inevitable, necessarily — used to indicate something is bound to happen.
  • 必不可少 (bì bù kě shǎo): absolutely indispensable — emphasizes something is essential.

Usage Notes

is often combined with verbs or adjectives to strengthen the sense of obligation or inevitability. It is more formal and stronger than just using (yào) or (děi). When using , the tone is assertive and leaves little room for choice.

Common Confusion

is sometimes confused with , which also means "must" or "need to." However, is more general and can be softer or more polite, while conveys a stronger, more formal necessity.

Summary

Use when you want to emphasize that something is absolutely necessary or certain. It appears frequently in formal writing, instructions, and serious contexts.

Example Sentences

You must complete this task.

Success necessarily requires effort.

This matter is absolutely indispensable.