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March 24, 2026
椎chuí(chui2)
The character 椎 (chuí) primarily refers to a 'spine' or 'vertebra' in a biological context. It can also mean 'hammer' or 'mallet,' often used in contexts involving tools or striking. In both usages, the term conveys a sense of structure and impact.
Strokes12Radical木Frequency#26094DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of the spine is crucial for understanding health and wellness; it is often associated with the flow of qi (energy) in the body. The spine is viewed not just as a structural element but as integral to overall health.
Memory Tip
Imagine a spine that looks like a series of hammers stacked together. The left component 木 (mù) represents wood, hinting at the material of a hammer, while the right component 追 (zhuī) sounds like 'chui' and suggests striking or following through with force.
Meanings of 椎
chuí(chui2)
primary
1a hammer
2spine
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 椎
椎Simplified
12Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#26094Frequency Rank
Podcast: 椎
Podcast: 椎
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AI Study Notes for 椎
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 椎 with other similar characters like 骨 (gǔ) for 'bone.' This word is more technical and is often used in medical or anatomical contexts rather than in casual conversation. Be mindful of the tone; it’s pronounced with a rising tone (chuí).
HSK Study Tips
Although 椎 is not included in the HSK lists, it connects to HSK Level 4 vocabulary related to anatomy and tools. Students should focus on the components of the character and its pronunciation to accurately use it in context.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 椎 with 杆 (gǎn), which means 'rod' or 'pole.' A common error is saying '椎骨' (chuí gǔ) when referring to 'vertebrae' instead of correctly using '脊椎' (jǐ chuí).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 椎
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Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 隹 represents the sound.
1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
2The sound half隹 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaywood
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 椎? 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 椎?
Decomposition of 椎
IDS Structure⿰木隹
椎Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
隹zhui1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 椎?
How to say a hammer in Chinese
“a hammer” in Chinese is椎chuí
The character 椎 (chuí) primarily refers to a 'spine' or 'vertebra' in a biological context. It can also mean 'hammer' or 'mallet,' often used in contexts involving tools or striking. In both usages, the term conveys a sense of structure and impact.
When to use 椎
Common mistakes include confusing 椎 with other similar characters like 骨 (gǔ) for 'bone.' This word is more technical and is often used in medical or anatomical contexts rather than in casual conversation. Be mindful of the tone; it’s pronounced with a rising tone (chuí).
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 椎 with 杆 (gǎn), which means 'rod' or 'pole.' A common error is saying '椎骨' (chuí gǔ) when referring to 'vertebrae' instead of correctly using '脊椎' (jǐ chuí).
Write 椎
椎
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Practice writing 椎 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 椎
椎 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 3 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
Complete the Sentence
这一动作舒展脊____，使脊神经更加强健。
This movement lengthens your spine and tones the spinal nerves.
