Vocabulary Focus: Prefix bi

1. Language → Bilingual (adj)

Meaning: able to speak two languages fluently
Example: Many children grow up bilingual today.

Common collocations:

  • bilingual education

  • bilingual speaker

  • bilingual family

  • bilingual school


2. Cycle → Bicycle (n)

Meaning: a vehicle with two wheels
Example: She goes to work by bicycle.

Common collocations:

  • ride a bicycle

  • bicycle lane

  • bicycle helmet

  • bicycle parking


3. Sexual → Bisexual (adj / n)

Meaning: attracted to two genders
Example: He openly identifies as bisexual.

Common collocations:

  • bisexual person

  • bisexual identity

  • bisexual community


4. Week → Biweekly (adj / adv)

Meaning:

  • every two weeks OR

  • twice a week (context-dependent)

Example: We have biweekly team meetings.

Common collocations:

  • biweekly meeting

  • biweekly payment

  • biweekly schedule


5. Month → Bimonthly (adj / adv)

Meaning:

  • every two months OR

  • twice a month

Example: The magazine is published bimonthly.

Common collocations:

  • bimonthly magazine

  • bimonthly report

  • bimonthly payments


6. Annual → Biannual (adj)

Meaning: happening twice a year
Example: The company holds biannual reviews.

Common collocations:

  • biannual meeting

  • biannual report

  • biannual conference


7. Side → Bilateral (adj)

Meaning: involving two sides, groups, or countries
Example: The countries signed a bilateral agreement.

Common collocations:

  • bilateral agreement

  • bilateral talks

  • bilateral relations

  • bilateral trade


8. Digit → Binary (adj / n)

Meaning: based on two values (0 and 1)
Example: Computers operate using binary code.

Common collocations:

  • binary system

  • binary code

  • binary choice


9. Direction → Bidirectional (adj)

Meaning: moving or working in two directions
Example: This road is bidirectional.

Common collocations:

  • bidirectional communication

  • bidirectional flow

  • bidirectional relationship


10. Way → Bifocal (adj)

Meaning: having two areas of focus or vision
Example: He wears bifocal glasses for reading and distance.

Common collocations:

  • bifocal glasses

  • bifocal lenses