How to Pronounce Liu Bei

Meaning and Context

Liu Bei (161 – 10 June 223 AD) was a pivotal warlord, monarch, and foundational figure during the tumultuous late Eastern Han Dynasty and the subsequent Three Kingdoms period in ancient China. Rising from humble origins as a straw-weaver, he became a charismatic leader renowned for his benevolence, unwavering commitment to Confucian virtues, and his claim of descent from the Han imperial family. His enduring legacy is cemented by his role as the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han in 221 AD, establishing a regime in the southwestern Sichuan Basin that claimed the legitimate continuation of the Han dynasty. Liu Bei's historical and cultural prominence is largely amplified by his idealized portrayal as a tragic hero and virtuous protagonist in the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, where his famed sworn brotherhood with the warriors Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, and his fraught yet essential alliance with the strategist Zhuge Liang, are central narratives. His life represents the pursuit of ren (benevolence) and righteousness in an era defined by warfare, cunning strategy, and the struggle for unification, making him a perennial subject of study in Chinese history, literature, and popular culture.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct romanization for the name is Liu Bei, using the modern Pinyin system. Older romanization systems, such as Wade-Giles, render the name as Liu Pei, which may still be encountered in some historical academic texts or older translations. Common misspellings and typographical errors often arise from phonetic guesses or keyboard slips, including variations like "Liu Bei," "Liu Bei," "Lui Bei," or "Liu Bay." Another frequent error involves the omission or misuse of the space between the family name (Liu) and the given name (Bei), resulting in "Liubei" or "LiuBei." While the latter is sometimes used in informal online contexts or as a username, the formally correct presentation includes a space. Additionally, some may mistakenly associate him with the place name "Shu" as part of his personal name, but "Shu" refers solely to his kingdom; he is properly referred to as Liu Bei, Emperor Zhaolie of Shu Han, or simply the founder of Shu Han.

Example Sentences

Driven by a solemn oath taken in the Peach Garden, Liu Bei dedicated his life to restoring the glory of the Han dynasty and protecting the common people.

Historians often debate whether Liu Bei's renowned benevolence was a genuine character trait or a calculated political asset that won him widespread loyalty.

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Bei's emotional and principled nature is frequently contrasted with the calculating realism of his rival, Cao Cao.

The decisive Battle of Xiaoting in 221-222 AD, a catastrophic defeat for Shu forces, irrevocably damaged Liu Bei's health and military prospects.

Modern assessments of his leadership acknowledge that while Liu Bei's virtue was legendary, the ultimate foundation of the Shu Han state relied heavily on the administrative genius of his chancellor, Zhuge Liang.

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