彼 bǐ that
that; those; the other
How to remember 彼: 彳 step forward + 皮 skin = that. The tourist takes a step forward, rubs cream on her skin and points past this beach to that.
Component breakdown
彼 = 彳 step forward + 皮 skin
- 彳 step forward
- 皮 skin
The tourist takes a step forward, rubs cream on her skin and points past this beach to that.
How it is used
- 彼 is a literary/formal word for "that" or "the other (side)", basically confined to written or set phrases in modern speech.
- 彼此 (bǐcǐ) "each other, both sides" is its main living word - 彼此彼此 (bǐcǐ bǐcǐ) is a polite reply meaning "same to you".
- For everyday "each other" in speech, 互相 (hùxiāng) is far more common and neutral; 彼此 sounds slightly more formal or literary.
- 此起彼伏 (cǐqǐ-bǐfú) "rising here, falling there" is a fixed four-character idiom describing something happening continuously in waves, e.g. applause.