hebei
C2Formal, Geographical
Definition
Meaning
A province in northern China, surrounding the capital city of Beijing.
Refers to the geographical, cultural, and administrative region of Hebei Province. Can be used metonymically to refer to things originating from or associated with this province.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a proper noun used in geographical and political contexts. Not typically used in everyday conversation outside of specific discussions about China.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. Both varieties use the anglicized pronunciation.
Connotations
Neutral geographical/political reference in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general discourse for both, appearing primarily in news, academic, or travel contexts related to China.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Place Name] is located in Hebei.The [noun] from Hebei is famous.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in reports on manufacturing, steel production, or economic development in North China.
Academic
Used in geographical, sinological, political science, or economic studies focusing on China.
Everyday
Rare. Might appear in travel guides or news about China.
Technical
Used in meteorology (e.g., 'Hebei experienced heavy smog') or regional planning contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- Hebei cuisine is quite distinctive.
- Hebei's industrial output is significant.
American English
- A Hebei-based company expanded.
- Hebei regional policies were discussed.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Hebei is in China.
- Beijing is next to Hebei.
- Hebei Province has many large cities.
- The Great Wall passes through parts of Hebei.
- Industrial growth in Hebei has raised environmental concerns.
- The capital of Hebei is Shijiazhuang.
- Hebei's role in mitigating air pollution for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region is crucial.
- The provincial government of Hebei announced new economic reforms.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'He' (a person) 'bei' (sounds like 'bay') – imagine a person standing by a bay in northern China.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CONTAINER (for culture, industry, population).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with the Russian word 'хобби' (hobby).
- It is a proper noun and should be capitalised, unlike common nouns.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'Heibei' or 'He Bei'.
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a hebei').
- Incorrect stress on the first syllable (/ˈhiːbaɪ/).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for using the word 'Hebei'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Hebei is a province. It contains many cities, including its capital Shijiazhuang.
In British English, it's /ˌhɜːˈbeɪ/ (hur-BAY). In American English, it's /ˌhɛˈbeɪ/ (heh-BAY). The stress is on the second syllable.
It is economically significant, surrounds Beijing, and is a key industrial and agricultural region in northern China.
Yes, always. It is a proper noun, the name of a specific place.