坝 Strokes Write it Listen 坝 bà dam; dike; embankment HSK 7–9 7 strokes Radical 土 Sound + meaning 2 words Built from土meaningtǔsoil, earth; items made of earth贝soundbèisea shell; money, currency How it works土 hints at the meaning (earth), and 贝 bèi hints at the sound.