批

• Pinyin: pī
• Hanzi breakdown: 批 = 扌 (hand) + 比 (compare) — to handle, evaluate, or process by hand

Meaning

To criticise; to approve (documents); batch; lot. As a verb, it means to judge, review, or mark work; as a measure word, it counts groups or batches.

A multifunctional word. As a verb: 批评 (criticise), 批改 (mark/correct homework), 批准 (approve officially). As a measure word: 一批货 (a batch of goods), 一批学生 (a group of students). The verb sense ranges from negative judgement (criticism) to official approval (signing off on documents). Context determines which meaning applies.

Examples

1. 老师正在办公室批改学生的作业。 The teacher is in the office marking students' homework.
2. 这批货物下周就能到。 This batch of goods will arrive next week.
3. 领导已经批了你的请假申请。 The manager has already approved your leave application.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, education, logistics

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这批产品质量不错。(This batch of products is good quality.)
• 老师批了我的作文，给了很高的分。(The teacher marked my essay and gave a high score.)

Don't Say

• 我批你 meaning 'I criticise you' directly (This is too blunt — use 批评 for the full verb meaning to criticise; 批 alone in this sense is incomplete)

Origin & History

The character 批 combines 扌 (hand) and 比 (compare) — to strike or evaluate with the hand, hence to judge, criticise, or handle in batches.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal