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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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 椎 means.
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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How Well Do You Know 椎?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 椎 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
椎 = 木 + 隹. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 椎
IDS Structure⿰木隹
椎Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
隹zhui1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
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.
