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March 24, 2026
怠dài(dai4)
The character 怠 (dài) conveys the idea of being idle or lazy, often associated with negligence or carelessness in a task or responsibility. It is commonly used in contexts where someone fails to perform their duties or is not diligent, highlighting a lack of effort or attention.
Strokes9Radical心Frequency#40050DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, diligence is highly valued; thus, being labeled as 怠 can carry significant social stigma. This character often appears in discussions about work ethic and personal responsibility.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person sitting idly on a couch (怠) instead of completing their work. The left side of the character, 忄, suggests a person's heart or mind, symbolizing the lack of motivation, while the right side, 台, can remind you of a platform where someone is simply lounging.
Meanings of 怠
dài(dai4)
1idle
2lazy
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 怠
怠Simplified
9Strokes
心Radical
形容词性语素xíngróngcíadjective root (adj.root)Part of Speech
#40050Frequency Rank
Podcast: 怠
Podcast: 怠
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AI Study Notes for 怠
Quick Contrast
懈 (xiè) - use 怠 (dài) when emphasizing negligence in duties, while 懈 (xiè) focuses more on a lack of effort or relaxation.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person sitting idly on a couch (怠) instead of completing their work. The left side of the character, 忄, suggests a person's heart or mind, symbolizing the lack of motivation, while the right side, 台, can remind you of a platform where someone is simply lounging.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 怠 with similar characters like 代 (dài), which means 'to replace' or 'to act on behalf of.' It's typically used in a negative context, so it's more formal in usage. Be cautious of the tone; 怠 is pronounced with the fourth tone, which can be mistakenly pronounced with a different tone.
HSK Study Tips
As this character is not included in the HSK list, learners should focus on memorizing its components and usage in context. Investigating collocations like 怠惰 (dàiduò, 'laziness') can help build vocabulary around this theme, reinforcing understanding.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, diligence is highly valued; thus, being labeled as 怠 can carry significant social stigma. This character often appears in discussions about work ethic and personal responsibility.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 怠 with 代 (dài) due to their similar sounds. For example, saying '我很代' instead of '我很怠' (I am very lazy) is incorrect. Remember to use 怠 when referring to laziness or negligence.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 怠
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Grammar Patterns of 怠
怠 carries 5 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
这些官员感到受了____慢，于是大声抱怨起来。
The officials felt taken for granted and grumbled loudly.
It's impossible to assess how many officers are participating in the slowdown.
6
有的勤奋工作,有的则消极怠工.
yǒu de qín fèn gōng zuò, , yǒu de zé xiāo jí dài.
Some are hard at work and some are slack in work.
7
他们是我们民族对懒怠的纵容.
tā mén shì wǒ mén mín zú duì lǎn dài de zòng róng.
They're the national apology for indolence.
Cultural Notes for 怠
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, diligence is highly valued; thus, being labeled as 怠 can carry significant social stigma. This character often appears in discussions about work ethic and personal responsibility.
Word Family of 怠
Words Containing This Character7
怠dàiidle
怠慢dàimànto slight
倦怠worn out
懈怠slack
怠工dàigōngto slacken off in one's work
怠惰idleness
懒怠lazy懶怠
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 怠 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 怠
Common phrases include 怠惰 (dàiduò), meaning 'laziness,' and 怠慢 (dàimàn), meaning 'neglect'.
You can use 'dài' to think of 'die' if you are too lazy to work, which helps associate the sound with the meaning.
While not among the most common, it appears in discussions about work habits and personal diligence.
