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March 24, 2026
维(維)wéi(Wei2)
The character 维 (wéi) primarily means 'to maintain' or 'to preserve.' It is often used in contexts related to holding things together, preserving relationships, or maintaining certain standards. Additionally, it serves as an abbreviation for '维吾尔' (Uighur), adding a cultural dimension to its usage.
Strokes11Radical纟Frequency#1933DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The character 维 is linked to the Uighur people, an ethnic minority in China, highlighting the importance of cultural preservation in Chinese society. It reflects the broader significance of maintaining cultural identity amidst globalization.
Memory Tip
Imagine a strong vine (维) holding together various branches of a tree, symbolizing maintenance and connection. The character's structure includes the radical for 'thread' (纟), suggesting the idea of binding or weaving things together, which aligns with its meaning of preservation.
Meanings of 维
wéi(Wei2)
1abbr. for Uighur 維吾爾
2to preserve
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 维
维Simplified
維Traditional
11Strokes
纟Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1933Frequency Rank
Podcast: 维
Podcast: 维
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AI Study Notes for 维
Quick Contrast
维护 (wéihù) vs 维持 (wéichí) — choose 维 for contexts emphasizing preservation or maintenance of standards rather than ongoing support or sustenance.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a strong vine (维) holding together various branches of a tree, symbolizing maintenance and connection. The character's structure includes the radical for 'thread' (纟), suggesting the idea of binding or weaving things together, which aligns with its meaning of preservation.
Usage Notes
When using 维, be mindful of context; it often appears in formal settings or technical discussions. Common collocations include 维持 (wéi chí - to maintain) and 维系 (wéi xì - to maintain a connection). A common mistake is confusing 维 with similar sounding characters; remember that 维 emphasizes togetherness.
HSK Study Tips
While 维 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it connects with vocabulary related to maintenance and preservation, which appear in lower levels. Focus on its collocations and how it combines with other characters to express complex ideas.
Cultural Note
The character 维 is linked to the Uighur people, an ethnic minority in China, highlighting the importance of cultural preservation in Chinese society. It reflects the broader significance of maintaining cultural identity amidst globalization.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 维 with 维持 (wéi chí) and forget to use it in appropriate contexts. For example, saying '我维维持这个关系' (Wǒ wéi wéi chí zhège guānxì) is incorrect; the correct form is simply '我维持这个关系' (Wǒ wéi chí zhège guānxì).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 维
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Grammar Patterns of 维
维 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 11 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.
The vitamin content in grapes is particularly abundant.
Common Confusions with 维
维vs为
wèi
Similar sound but distinct meanings and usages.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to preserve"?
or
Example Sentences for 维 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
你可以和戴维·贝克汉姆的纸板模型合影。
nǐ kě yǐ hé dài wéi· · bèi kè hàn mǔ de zhǐ bǎn mó xíng hé。
You can have your picture taken with a cutout of David Beckham.
2
你要服一粒维生素B胶囊。
nǐ yào fú yī lì wéi shēng sùB B jiāo。
You are asked to swallow a capsule containing vitamin B.
3
在色拉中加入意大利面条，增加你的纤维摄入量。
zài sè lā zhōng jiā rù yì dà lì miàn tiáo， ， zēng jiā nǐ de xiān wéi shè rù。
Add pasta to your salads to bump up your fibre intake.
4
亲爱的内维尔，我真太为你高兴了。
qīn ài de nèi wéi ěr， ， wǒ zhēn tài wéi nǐ gāo xīng。
Darling Neville, I couldn't be more pleased for you.
5
你不得不对她维护正义的勇气竖起大拇指。
nǐ bù dé bù duì tā wéi hù zhèng yì de yǒng qì shù qǐ dà mǔ zhǐ。
You have to give her top marks for moral guts.
6
该行为公然违背了《维也纳公约》。
gāi háng wéi gōng rán wéi bèi le《 《 wéi yě nà gōng》。
The action is an open violation of the Vienna Convention.
7
喝下午茶的时候，维多利亚与其夫君艾伯特亲王表演了二重唱。
hē xià wǔ chá de shí hòu， ， wéi duō lì yà yǔ qí fū jūn ài bó tè qīn wáng biǎo yǎn le èr zhòng。
At tea-time, Victoria sang duets with her Consort, Prince Albert.
8
镇上老码头区多年来疏于维护,快要塌陷了.
zhèn shàng lǎo mǎ tóu qū duō nián lái shū yú wéi hù, , kuài yào tā xiàn.
The town's old quayside is collapsing after years of neglect.
9
戴维斯落后了差不多两秒，获得第三名。
dài wéi sī luò hòu le chà bù duō liǎng miǎo， ， huò dé dì sān。
Davies finished almost two seconds in arrears for third place.
10
我用完善后的技术摘掉了纤维瘤。
wǒ yòng wán shàn hòu de jì shù zhāi diào le xiān wéi liú。
I removed the fibroid tumours, using the techniques that I have perfected.
Cultural Notes for 维
🏮Cultural insight
The character 维 is linked to the Uighur people, an ethnic minority in China, highlighting the importance of cultural preservation in Chinese society. It reflects the broader significance of maintaining cultural identity amidst globalization.
Word Family of 维
Compounds1
潍wei2a river in Shandong province
Words Containing This Character19
维wéito preserve維
维护wéihùto defend維護
维持wéichíto keep維持
思维sīwéithinking思維
维修wéixiūmaintenance (of equipment)維修
纤维xiānwéifiber纖維
维生素wéishēngsùvitamin維生素
拉斯维加斯Las Vegas, Nevada拉斯維加斯
维多利亚Victoria (name)維多利亞
维也纳Vienna, capital of Austria維也納
戴维斯Davis or Davies (name)戴維斯
三维sānwéi3D三維
恭维gōngwéito praise恭維
维系to maintain維繫
维他命vitamin (loanword)維他命
塞尔维亚Serbia塞爾維亞
苏维埃Soviet (council)蘇維埃
玻利维亚Bolivia玻利維亞
维纳斯Venus (mythology, Roman goddess of love)維納斯
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 潍 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 维
维 (wéi) generally refers to the act of holding together or can act as an abbreviation, while 维度 (wéi dù) specifically means 'dimension'. The latter term is used in mathematical or spatial contexts to describe measurements in different dimensions.
Yes, 维 (wéi) can also be a surname in China, although it is not as common as other surnames. It is important to note the context in which it is used to distinguish between the character as a name and its other meanings.
维 (wéi) can mean several things in Chinese, including 'to hold together' and 'dimension'. It is also used as an abbreviation for '维吾尔' (Uighur) and can refer to '维生素' (vitamin). Understanding the context is important for its correct usage.
You can use 维 (wéi) in a sentence to refer to dimensions or to describe something being held together. For example, '这个结构的维度很重要' (The dimensions of this structure are very important) or '我们需要维持这个关系' (We need to maintain this relationship).
In Chinese, 维 is an abbreviation for 维生素 (wéi shēng sù), which means vitamin.
维 is pronounced as 'wéi' with a rising tone, similar to the English word 'way'.
Yes, 维 can be used in everyday conversation, especially when discussing topics related to maintenance or preservation.
