Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
炅guì(Gui4)
The character 炅 (guì) means 'brilliant' or 'shining,' often used in literary contexts to describe something that emits light or brilliance. It can also refer to the surname Gui. This word is less commonly used in everyday conversation but can be found in poetic or formal writing.
Strokes8Radical火Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry, light and brilliance are often metaphorically linked to wisdom and enlightenment. The use of 炅 in literature reflects the cultural value placed on clarity and brightness, both literally and metaphorically.
Memory Tip
Imagine a glowing sun (the 'brilliance') shining brightly in the sky. The character 炅 is made up of the fire radical 火 (huǒ), which signifies light and warmth, combined with the character 京 (jīng), suggesting a grand city or prominence. Picture the sun illuminating a famous city with its brilliance.
Meanings of 炅
guì(Gui4)
primary
1brilliant, shining
2(literary) bright
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 炅
炅Simplified
8Strokes
火Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 炅
Podcast: 炅
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 炅
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a glowing sun (the 'brilliance') shining brightly in the sky. The character 炅 is made up of the fire radical 火 (huǒ), which signifies light and warmth, combined with the character 京 (jīng), suggesting a grand city or prominence. Picture the sun illuminating a famous city with its brilliance.
Usage Notes
While 炅 is a beautiful word, it is not commonly used in spoken language. Learners might confuse it with more frequently used terms for 'bright' like 明 (míng). It's important to note that this word carries a more literary tone, so it may not fit well in casual conversations.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level not specified, learners should note that this character is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary list. However, understanding this word can enrich your literary vocabulary and help you appreciate classical Chinese texts. Focus on recognizing the radicals and their meanings.
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry, light and brilliance are often metaphorically linked to wisdom and enlightenment. The use of 炅 in literature reflects the cultural value placed on clarity and brightness, both literally and metaphorically.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 炅 with the more commonly used 明 (míng) and use it inappropriately in casual contexts. For example, saying '今天天气炅' instead of '今天天气明' is incorrect; '明' is the appropriate choice for describing the weather.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 炅
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 炅 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 炅 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 炅
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese poetry, light and brilliance are often metaphorically linked to wisdom and enlightenment. The use of 炅 in literature reflects the cultural value placed on clarity and brightness, both literally and metaphorically.
Word Family of 炅
Words Containing This Character1
炅guìshining
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 炅 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 炅
No, 炅 is more often found in literary texts rather than in everyday speech.
Some synonyms include 明 (míng) for 'bright' and 光明 (guāngmíng) for 'radiant'.
While it can metaphorically represent brilliance, it's typically used for light rather than intellect.
