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檑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
檑léia log trap used to defend a cityx, 17 strokes, radical 木
檑léilogs rolled down in defense of cityunknown, 17 strokes, radical 木
léi(lei2) T2
  1. 1a log trap used to defend a city
  2. 2logs rolled down in defense of city
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March 24, 2026

檑léi(lei2)

The character 檑 (léi) refers to a type of log trap historically used in defensive warfare, particularly to protect cities. These logs would be rolled down from walls to impede or injure attackers. It's a specialized term often encountered in historical texts or discussions about ancient military strategies.

Strokes17Radical木
Cultural Note

The use of log traps like 檑 in ancient Chinese warfare reflects the strategic ingenuity in defending cities against invasions. Such defensive mechanisms were often a key aspect of military architecture in historical Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a giant tree trunk (the log) rolling down a hill, crushing anything in its path. The character 檑 is made up of the wood radical '木' (mù) on the left, symbolizing its connection to logs, and the phonetic component '雷' (léi), which can remind you of the thunderous sound logs make when they roll down.

Meanings of 檑

léi(lei2)
1a log trap used to defend a city
2logs rolled down in defense of city
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 檑

檑Simplified
17Strokes
木Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 檑

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Podcast: 檑

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AI Study Notes for 檑

Usage Notes

While 檑 is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it can appear in historical or literary contexts. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar characters, especially those relating to wood or weapons. It is a formal term typically used in historical discussions.

HSK Study Tips

Although 檑 is not included in the HSK levels, it is beneficial for learners interested in Chinese history or literature. Focus on recognizing the wood radical and understanding its context in military terminology, which connects with other words related to defense (e.g., 防御 fángyù).

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 檑 with other wood-related characters like 林 (lín) or 木 (mù). For example, using 林 instead of 檑 in a historical context would be incorrect. Remember that 檑 specifically refers to log traps used in defense.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 檑

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Etymology of 檑

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A thundering 雷 log 木 trap ; 雷 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 檑

  1. 1The giveawayA thundering 雷 log 木 trap ; 雷 also provides the pronunciation
  2. 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.

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

Want the full history of 檑? 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 檑?

Decomposition of 檑

IDS Structure⿰木雷
檑Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
雷Lei2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 檑?

How to say a log trap used to defend a city in Chinese

“a log trap used to defend a city” in Chinese is檑léi

The character 檑 (léi) refers to a type of log trap historically used in defensive warfare, particularly to protect cities. These logs would be rolled down from walls to impede or injure attackers. It's a specialized term often encountered in historical texts or discussions about ancient military strategies.

When to use 檑

While 檑 is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it can appear in historical or literary contexts. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar characters, especially those relating to wood or weapons. It is a formal term typically used in historical discussions.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 檑 with other wood-related characters like 林 (lín) or 木 (mù). For example, using 林 instead of 檑 in a historical context would be incorrect. Remember that 檑 specifically refers to log traps used in defense.

Write 檑

檑

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

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Word Family of 檑

Words Containing This Character1
檑léilogs rolled down in defense of city
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 檑 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 檑

It is pronounced as 'léi', with a rising tone.

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