bīng: 冰 - Ice

Keywords: bing pinyin, bing character, Chinese character for ice, how to say ice in Chinese, cold in Chinese, what does bing mean, 冰 meaning, Chinese radical for ice, bīngqílín, Harbin Ice Festival, add ice in Chinese

Summary: Learn the Chinese character 冰 (bīng), which means “ice.” This guide covers its basic meaning, from frozen water to the “ice” radical (冫). Discover its cultural significance, such as in the famous Harbin Ice Festival and traditional views on cold drinks. Learn practical phrases like how to order an iced coffee (冰咖啡 bīng kāfēi) or describe someone's “icy” personality (冷冰冰 lěngbīngbīng) in modern China.

Pinyin (with tone marks): bīng

Part of Speech: Noun, Adjective

HSK Level: HSK 1

Concise Definition: The solid, frozen state of water; ice.

In a Nutshell: 冰 (bīng) is the direct word for “ice.” It refers to the physical substance you find in your freezer or on a frozen lake. Beyond this literal meaning, it's also used in many compound words to describe things that are ice-cold, frozen, or related to ice, such as “refrigerator” (冰箱 bīngxiāng) or “ice cream” (冰淇淋 bīngqílín). Figuratively, it can describe a person's personality as emotionally cold or distant.

The character 冰 combines the ice radical (冫) with the character for water (水). You can literally read it as “water that has become ice,” which is a perfect and easy-to-remember description of its meaning.

Hot vs. Cold Drinks: While ordering a drink “with ice” (加冰 jiā bīng) is common in modern China, especially among younger generations, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) advises against consuming excessively cold or iced drinks. TCM emphasizes balance, and it's believed that cold substances can disrupt the body's digestive harmony and “qi” (energy). This is why you will often be served warm or hot water (热水 rèshuǐ) by default in traditional restaurants, a stark contrast to the Western custom of serving ice water.

The Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival (哈尔滨国际冰雪节): 冰 is central to one of China's most spectacular annual events. Held in Harbin, the capital of the northeastern Heilongjiang province, this festival showcases massive, breathtaking sculptures and buildings made entirely of ice and snow, illuminated with colorful lights. It's a testament to the artistic and cultural significance of ice in China's colder regions.

An “Icy” Personality: In both English and Chinese, “ice” can describe a person's demeanor. However, the English word “cool” can be positive (stylish, calm). In Chinese, describing someone with 冰 (e.g., 冷冰冰 lěngbīngbīng) is almost exclusively negative, implying they are aloof, unfriendly, and emotionally distant. A “cool” person in the Western sense would be described as 酷 (kù) or 帅 (shuài).

“Cool” is not 冰: Do not use 冰 to mean “cool” in the sense of stylish or awesome. That would be a direct and incorrect translation. The Chinese equivalent is often the loanword 酷 (kù). Describing a person as 冰 implies they are unapproachable and unfriendly.

冷 (lěng) - The general adjective for “cold.” 冰 is a specific manifestation of 冷.

雪 (xuě) - Snow. Another form of frozen water, often associated with winter and 冰.

冰箱 (bīngxiāng) - Refrigerator (lit. “ice box”). An essential household item.

冰淇淋 (bīngqílín) - Ice cream. A popular dessert word derived from 冰.

冰块 (bīngkuài) - Ice cube (lit. “ice piece/block”). The form of 冰 you put in drinks.

滑冰 (huá bīng) - To ice skate (lit. “slide on ice”). A common winter activity.

结冰 (jié bīng) - To freeze over (lit. “to form ice”). A verb describing the process of water turning to ice.

冰山 (bīngshān) - Iceberg (lit. “ice mountain”). Used literally and figuratively (e.g., 冰山一角 - bīng shān yī jiǎo, “tip of the iceberg”).

冰雹 (bīngbáo) - Hail; hailstones.

热水 (rèshuǐ) - Hot water. The cultural opposite of 冰水 (bīngshuǐ - ice water) in many dining situations.