unknown, 13 strokes, radical 疒, rank #37941, Very Hard
wěi(wei3) T3
1paralysis; impotence
2atrophy
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March 24, 2026
痿wěi(wei3)
The character 痿 (wěi) primarily refers to paralysis, impotence, or atrophy, particularly in a medical context. It describes a condition where there is a loss of strength or function, often related to nerves or muscles. This term is commonly used in discussions about health, especially in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Strokes13Radical疒Frequency#37941DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the concept of 'weakness' or 'impotence' is often associated with imbalances in the body's energy (Qi), reflecting a holistic approach to health that is prevalent in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a weak, withered plant (the 'w' in 'wěi' sounds like 'weak') that has lost its vitality due to lack of care. The radical '疒' (illness) suggests that this condition is related to health issues, reinforcing the meaning of paralysis or impotence.
Meanings of 痿
wěi(wei3)
1paralysis; impotence
2atrophy
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 痿
痿Simplified
13Strokes
疒Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 痿
Podcast: 痿
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AI Study Notes for 痿
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a weak, withered plant (the 'w' in 'wěi' sounds like 'weak') that has lost its vitality due to lack of care. The radical '疒' (illness) suggests that this condition is related to health issues, reinforcing the meaning of paralysis or impotence.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 痿 (wěi) with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings, such as 委 (wěi), which means to entrust. This character is used in more formal contexts, particularly in medical discussions, so it may not be appropriate for casual conversation.
HSK Study Tips
While 痿 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance comprehension of medical terms in Chinese. Students at this level should focus on recognizing the radical '疒' to identify related health terms.
Cultural Note
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the concept of 'weakness' or 'impotence' is often associated with imbalances in the body's energy (Qi), reflecting a holistic approach to health that is prevalent in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 痿 with similar characters like 委 (wěi) or 胃 (wèi), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我有痿' (wǒ yǒu wěi) to mean 'I have weakness' can be misleading; it should specify the context, such as '我有肌肉痿' (wǒ yǒu jīròu wěi) for 'I have muscle atrophy.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 痿
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Cultural Notes for 痿
🏮Cultural insight
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the concept of 'weakness' or 'impotence' is often associated with imbalances in the body's energy (Qi), reflecting a holistic approach to health that is prevalent in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 痿
Words Containing This Character2
阳痿(med.) impotence陽痿
痿wěiatrophy
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 阳痿 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 痿
You might encounter phrases like '肢体痿弱' (zhītǐ wěiruò), meaning 'limb weakness'.
Yes, 痿 is primarily used in medical discussions and is not commonly used in everyday conversation.
No, 痿 specifically refers to physical paralysis or atrophy, not emotional states.
