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枘 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
枘ruìa handle for a toolzg, 8 strokes, radical 木
枘ruìtenonunknown, 8 strokes, radical 木
枘ruìtool handleunknown, 8 strokes, radical 木
枘ruìwedgeunknown, 8 strokes, radical 木
ruì(rui4) T4
  1. 1a handle for a tool
  2. 2tenon
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March 24, 2026

枘ruì(rui4)

The character 枘 (ruì) refers to a tool handle or a tenon, which is a projecting piece that fits into a mortise to form a joint. It is commonly used in carpentry and woodworking contexts, symbolizing the connection and stability provided by tool handles in creating structures.

Strokes8Radical木
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese carpentry, the use of tenons and mortises is a hallmark of craftsmanship, emphasizing durability and skill. The character 枘 reflects this importance, as it is integral to creating long-lasting wooden structures in Chinese architecture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'wedge' shaped like a tool handle that fits snugly into a joint. The character 枘 visually resembles a tool with a handle, where the horizontal line represents the top of the handle, and the enclosing structure symbolizes the tool's body. Remember 'ruì' by thinking of how a sturdy handle 'tightens' a connection.

Meanings of 枘

ruì(rui4)
1a handle for a tool
2tenon
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 枘

枘Simplified
8Strokes
木Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 枘

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Podcast: 枘

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AI Study Notes for 枘

Usage Notes

This term is more technical and formal, primarily found in woodworking and carpentry discussions. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding words. Ensure you use the correct context to avoid miscommunication.

HSK Study Tips

Although not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, understanding 枘 can deepen your knowledge of woodworking terminology. It connects with basic characters related to tools and construction, enhancing your technical vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 枘 with the character 锤 (chuí), which means hammer. For example, saying '我需要一个枘来钉钉子' (I need a ruì to nail) is incorrect; it should be '我需要一个锤来钉钉子' (I need a hammer to nail).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 枘

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Etymology of 枘

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

wood

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)内
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 枘

  1. 1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half内 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaywood
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 枘? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 枘?

Decomposition of 枘

IDS Structure⿰木内
枘Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
内nei4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 枘?

How to say a handle for a tool in Chinese

“a handle for a tool” in Chinese is枘ruì

The character 枘 (ruì) refers to a tool handle or a tenon, which is a projecting piece that fits into a mortise to form a joint. It is commonly used in carpentry and woodworking contexts, symbolizing the connection and stability provided by tool handles in creating structures.

When to use 枘

This term is more technical and formal, primarily found in woodworking and carpentry discussions. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding words. Ensure you use the correct context to avoid miscommunication.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 枘 with the character 锤 (chuí), which means hammer. For example, saying '我需要一个枘来钉钉子' (I need a ruì to nail) is incorrect; it should be '我需要一个锤来钉钉子' (I need a hammer to nail).

Write 枘

枘

Practice writing 枘 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 枘

枘 carries 4 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 2

Complete the Sentence

泰勒显然不是做这份工作的合适人选——简直就是方____圆凿。

Taylor is clearly the wrong man for the job—a square peg in a round hole.

Example Sentences for 枘 (2)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
泰勒显然不是做这份工作的合适人选——简直就是方枘圆凿。

tài lè xiǎn rán bù shì zuò zhè fèn gōng zuò de hé shì rén xuǎn—— —— jiǎn zhí jiù shì fāng ruì yuán。

Taylor is clearly the wrong man for the job—a square peg in a round hole.
2
泰勒明显不适合做这项工作——简直就是方枘圆凿。

tài lè míng xiǎn bù shì hé zuò zhè xiàng gōng zuò—— —— jiǎn zhí jiù shì fāng ruì yuán。

Taylor is clearly the wrong man for the job — a square peg in a round hole.

Word Family of 枘

Words Containing This Character3
枘ruìtenon
方枘圆凿incompatible (idiom)方枘圓鑿
圆凿方枘incompatible (idiom)圓鑿方枘
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 枘 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 枘

No, 枘 is generally used in specific contexts related to carpentry or woodworking, not in daily conversation.

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