How to say "bi" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 璧へきnounThe artifact sense of 'bi': a flat disc of jade or glass with a circular hole in the centre, from ancient China. Less common, encountered mainly in writing on Chinese art and archaeology.
- 水地比すいちひnounThe name of hexagram 8 of the I Ching, meaning 'holding together'. A less common word: you will want it only when discussing that hexagram, not for any other sense of 'bi'.
- 山火賁さんかひnounThe name of hexagram 22 of the I Ching, meaning 'grace'. Like 水地比, this less common word is I Ching terminology; you will want it only when referring to that particular hexagram.
All three are less common words: choose 璧 for the ancient Chinese flat disc of jade or glass, and 水地比 or 山火賁 only when naming I Ching hexagrams 8 ('holding together') and 22 ('grace') respectively.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
