Meanings of 委
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About 委
Podcast: 委
Podcast: 委
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AI Study Notes for 委
委托 (wěituō, to entrust) vs 委任 (wěirèn, to appoint) — use 委 (wēi) when emphasizing the act of entrusting responsibility rather than the formal appointment aspect.
Be cautious not to confuse 委 with similar-sounding characters. It is typically used in formal contexts, especially regarding delegating tasks or responsibilities. Common collocations include 委托 (wěituō, to entrust) and 委员 (wěiyuán, committee member), and note that it is pronounced with a high flat tone (wēi).
While 委 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, its usage can enhance understanding of HSK Level 4 and above terms related to governance or delegation. Focus on its meanings in context and how it appears in phrases involving committees or responsibilities.
Learners often confuse 委 with similar characters like 维 (wéi) or 卫 (wèi). For example, using '维托' instead of '委托' is incorrect; the correct phrase is '委托' to mean 'to entrust.'
Pronunciation of 委
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Etymology of 委
Origin unclear.
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 委
Origin unclear.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 委? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Decomposition of 委
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 委?
How to say to entrust in Chinese
“to entrust” in Chinese is委
The character 委 (wēi) carries several meanings, including 'to entrust' or 'to commission,' indicating a transfer of responsibility. It is also used to describe something that is winding or roundabout, often in a figurative sense such as shifting blame. In contexts like governance or organizations, it can refer to committee members or councils.
When to use 委
Be cautious not to confuse 委 with similar-sounding characters. It is typically used in formal contexts, especially regarding delegating tasks or responsibilities. Common collocations include 委托 (wěituō, to entrust) and 委员 (wěiyuán, committee member), and note that it is pronounced with a high flat tone (wēi).
委 or something close to it
委托 (wěituō, to entrust) vs 委任 (wěirèn, to appoint) — use 委 (wēi) when emphasizing the act of entrusting responsibility rather than the formal appointment aspect.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 委 with similar characters like 维 (wéi) or 卫 (wèi). For example, using '维托' instead of '委托' is incorrect; the correct phrase is '委托' to mean 'to entrust.'
Write 委
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Practice writing 委 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 委
委 carries 16 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Complete the Sentence
哪有这么直接的？给人提意见也得____婉一点。
Who is that blunt? You have to be more tactful when giving feedback.
Common Confusions with 委
Similar pronunciation but different meaning.
Similar pronunciation and shape but different meaning.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to entrust"?
Example Sentences for 委 (10)
Cultural Notes for 委
The concept of entrusting responsibility is prevalent in both cultures, but in Chinese culture, it often emphasizes hierarchical relations, while in Western contexts it may focus on individual accountability.
Word Family of 委
Compound Meaning
What does 矮 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 委
While both 委 (wěi) and 逶 (wēi) are related to winding or curved concepts, 委 primarily refers to delegating or casting aside, whereas 逶 is often used to describe physical winding or meandering shapes. Understanding the context of each character is key to their correct usage.
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