Level 1 · Unit 4 Family & People

How to Write 伯 (bó)

Meaning: "Elder Uncle"
Step-by-Step Stroke Order Diagram
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Detailed Mastery Guide for 伯

The character 伯 (Traditional: 伯) is a fundamental part of the Chinese language, representing "Elder Uncle". In our Level 1 curriculum, we focus on the 7-step stroke sequence to ensure your handwriting is both fast and accurate.

Writing & Recognition

Proper stroke order is essential for character recognition and legibility. By following the animation above, you can see how the character is built from top to bottom and left to right. This character is often categorized under Family & People, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary.

Key Vocabulary

伯父 bófù baak3 fu6
father's elder brother
伯母 bómǔ baak3 mou5
wife of father's elder brother

Radical Breakdown

Breaking it down: The character 伯 is built on the radical person, 9. Understanding radicals like this is a proven technique for accelerating vocabulary acquisition.

Etymology & Origins

Phono-semantic compound. 亻 (person) + 白 (white/phonetic), originally denoting the eldest of brothers.

Example Sentence

Simplified: 我伯父住在北京。

Wǒ bófù zhù zài Běijīng.

Traditional: 我伯父住在北京。

ngo5 baak3 fu6 zyu6 zoi6 bak1 ging1.

"My uncle lives in Beijing."

Dialect Pronunciation

In Mandarin, this character is pronounced as bó. If you are learning Cantonese, the pronunciation is baak3. Use the audio buttons to hear the subtle tonal differences between the two major Chinese dialects.

Practice & Retention

To move this character from short-term to long-term memory, we recommend using our free practice sheet generator. Writing the character 10-15 times while following the correct sequence is a proven method for mastery.

Quick Self-Check

What is the meaning of '伯'?

A) Elder brother or uncle
B) Younger brother
C) Teacher
D) Friend

Other Characters in Level 1 Unit 4

Hope this tool helps your Chinese learning journey!

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