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桅 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
桅wéia ship's mastn, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #23391, Very Hard
桅wéimastunknown, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #23391, Very Hard
wéi(wei2)wei T2
  1. 1a ship's mast
  2. 2mast
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March 24, 2026

桅wéi(wei2)

The character 桅 (wéi) refers specifically to the mast of a ship, which is a tall vertical structure that supports the sails and rigging. It is commonly used in maritime contexts, particularly when discussing sailing ships or nautical terminology.

Strokes10Radical木Frequency#23391DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese culture, ships and sailing were essential for trade and exploration, especially during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The mast (桅) played a crucial role in the development of maritime activities.

Memory tip

Imagine a tall tree (木) standing straight up, holding sails (帆) high in the air, just like a ship's mast. The shape of the character 桅, with its components, can remind you of how a mast rises above the deck, supporting the sails.

Meanings of 桅

wéi(wei2)
1a ship's mast
2mast
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 桅

桅Simplified
10Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 桅

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Podcast: 桅

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AI study notes for 桅

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 桅 with similar characters that relate to different types of poles or structures. This term is generally used in formal contexts related to nautical themes. Common collocations include 桅杆 (mast pole) or 船桅 (ship's mast).

HSK Study Tips

While 桅 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it can be linked to HSK Level 3 terms related to travel and transportation. Focus on maritime vocabulary to build context around this character.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 桅 with similar characters like 楼 (building) or 杆 (pole). Remember, 桅 specifically refers to a ship's mast, while the others have different meanings related to structures.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 桅

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Etymology of 桅

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 危 represents the sound.

Memory hint

wood

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)危
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

桅 = 木 + 危. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 桅

IDS Structure⿰木危
桅Full character
=
木Mu4
left
危Wei1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 桅?

How to say a ship's mast in Chinese

“a ship's mast” in Chinese is桅wéi

The character 桅 (wéi) refers specifically to the mast of a ship, which is a tall vertical structure that supports the sails and rigging. It is commonly used in maritime contexts, particularly when discussing sailing ships or nautical terminology.

When to use 桅

Be careful not to confuse 桅 with similar characters that relate to different types of poles or structures. This term is generally used in formal contexts related to nautical themes. Common collocations include 桅杆 (mast pole) or 船桅 (ship's mast).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 桅 with similar characters like 楼 (building) or 杆 (pole). Remember, 桅 specifically refers to a ship's mast, while the others have different meanings related to structures.

Write 桅

桅

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

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Grammar patterns of 桅

桅 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

欣赏优秀的高____横帆船摄影作品是种乐趣。

A well-executed shot of a tall ship is a joy to behold.

Example sentences for 桅 (8)

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1
欣赏优秀的高桅横帆船摄影作品是种乐趣。

xīnshǎng yōuxiù de gāo wéi héng fānchuán shèyǐng zuòpǐn shì zhǒng lèqù。

A well-executed shot of a tall ship is a joy to behold.
2
船的桅杆和教堂的塔尖一样高.

chuán de wéi gǎn hé jiàotáng de tǎ jiān yíyàng gāo.

Her masts leveled with the spires of churches.
3
升到桅杆顶上, 喂, 你们六个一齐动手 —— 拉起前中桅的副帆!

shēng dào wéi gǎn dǐng shàng, wèi, nǐmen liù gè yìqí dòngshǒu —— lā qǐ qián zhōng wéi de fù fān!

Lay out aloft, there, half a dozen of ye -- foretopmaststuns'l!
4
纸圈挂在这些桅杆上,形成许多长条的花彩.

zhǐ juān guà zài zhèxiē wéi gǎn shàng, xíngchéng xǔduō cháng tiáo de huā cǎi.

The paper is looped over these spars in long festoons.
5
坚固的云杉木做成的桅杆已经弯得像一把弓,那一刻我觉得它马上就要断了。

jiāngù de yún shān mù zuò chéng de wéi gǎn yǐjīng wān de xiàng yī bǎ gōng, nà yīkè wǒ juéde tā mǎshàng jiùyào duàn le。

The mast, which was a solid spruce spar, bent like a bow, and for a moment I thought we were going to lose it.
6
他们使单桅小船倾斜适当, 让它顶着风向前滑去.

tāmen shǐ dān wéi xiǎo chuán qīngxié shìdàng, ràng tā dǐng zhe fēng xiàngqián huá qù.

They heeled the sloop well over, skimming it along to windward.
7
“ 大横帆 、 中桅帆 、 三角帆, 船长. ”

“ dà héng fān、 zhōng wéi fān、 sānjiǎo fān, chuánzhǎng. ”

" Courses, tops'ls, and flying - jib, sir. "
8
他举起桅杆,扛在肩上,顺着大路走去.

tā jǔ qǐ wéi gǎn, gāng zài jiān shàng, shùnzhe dà lù zǒu qù.

He picked the mast up and put it on his shoulder and started up the road.

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Word Family of 桅

Words containing this character2
桅wéimast
桅杆mast
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 桅

What does 桅杆 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 桅

The pronunciation is wéi, with a rising tone.

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