What does 底 mean in Chinese?

底 (dǐ) means "background; bottom; base; end (of the month, year etc); remnants; (math.) radix; base" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 4.

How do you pronounce 底?

底 is pronounced "dǐ" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 3.

What HSK level is 底?

底 is an HSK 4 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 4 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 底?

Common words with 底 include 到底 (finally), 交底 (to fill sb in (on the details of sth)), 保底 (to break even), 兜底 (to reveal), 功底 (training in the basic skills).

How do you write 底?

You can practice writing 底 using our stroke order tool.

底 (dǐ), background

底

dǐ

background; bottom; base; end (of the month, year etc)

HSK 4

Character Breakdown

Radical: 广 (no. 53)

View stroke order →

Definitions

background
bottom
base
end (of the month, year etc)
remnants
(math.) radix
base

Example Sentences

杯子的底部有个洞。

Bēizi de dǐbù yǒu gè dòng

There's a hole at the bottom of the cup

Words Containing 底

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
到底	dào dǐ	finally	HSK 4
交底	jiāo dǐ	to fill sb in (on the details of sth)
保底	bǎo dǐ	to break even
兜底	dōu dǐ	to reveal
功底	gōng dǐ	training in the basic skills

Related Words

底子(dǐ zi)· base

→

刨根问底(páo gēn wèn dǐ)· to dig up roots and inquire at the base (idiom); to get to the bottom of sth

→

寻根问底(xún gēn wèn dǐ)· lit. to examine roots and inquire at the base (idiom); to get to the bottom of sth

→

底线(dǐ xiàn)· to underline

→

Grammar Notes

After All (毕竟)HSK 4

Statement, 毕竟 + Undeniable Fact/Reason

After All / On Earth (到底)HSK 4

Subject + 到底 + Verb/Question

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 4
HSK 2.0: HSK 4
HSK Lord study list: HSK 4 list

底: HSK 4 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 4 exam

Studying for HSK 4? Keep 底 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 4 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.