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March 24, 2026
苇(葦)wěi(wei3)
The character 苇 (wěi) refers to a type of tall, slender plant commonly found in wetlands, known as reed or rush. It is often used in contexts relating to nature, landscaping, and traditional crafts, as reeds are utilized for making mats, baskets, and even thatched roofs.
Strokes7Radical艹Frequency#19472DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, reeds are often associated with rural landscapes and traditional practices, such as weaving and crafting. They are also significant in poetry and literature, symbolizing resilience and adaptability.
Memory Tip
Imagine a slender reed swaying gently in the wind. The character 苇 looks like a plant with its radical '艹' on top, representing grass, and the bottom part '韦' can remind you of 'weaving' reeds into crafts.
Meanings of 苇
wěi(wei3)
1reed
2rush
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 苇
苇Simplified
葦Traditional
7Strokes
艹Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 苇
Podcast: 苇
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AI Study Notes for 苇
Quick Contrast
芦 (lú) - use 苇 (wěi) when referring specifically to reeds in wetlands, while 芦 (lú) can refer to bulrushes or other similar plants.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a slender reed swaying gently in the wind. The character 苇 looks like a plant with its radical '艹' on top, representing grass, and the bottom part '韦' can remind you of 'weaving' reeds into crafts.
Usage Notes
When using 苇 in sentences, ensure you're in contexts related to nature or crafting. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding words; remember that 苇 specifically refers to reeds. It is generally informal, so in formal contexts, you may want to use a more specific term for the type of reed you are discussing.
HSK Study Tips
While 苇 is not part of the official HSK levels, it connects to HSK Level 2 vocabulary related to nature and plants. Students should focus on recognizing this character when reading about outdoor settings or traditional crafts involving reeds.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, reeds are often associated with rural landscapes and traditional practices, such as weaving and crafting. They are also significant in poetry and literature, symbolizing resilience and adaptability.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 苇 with similar characters, such as '韦' (wéi), which means 'a surname' or 'to bind'. Remember, 苇 specifically refers to the plant, while '韦' does not pertain to nature at all.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 苇
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Grammar Patterns of 苇
苇 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 2
Complete the Sentence
整片湖都被密密层层的芦____围了起来。
The whole lake was rimmed with thick beds of reeds.
Example Sentences for 苇 (2)
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1
整片湖都被密密层层的芦苇围了起来。
zhěng piàn hú dū bèi mì mì céng céng de lú wěi wéi le qǐ lái。
The whole lake was rimmed with thick beds of reeds.
2
苇眉子又薄又细,在她怀里跳跃着.
wěi méi zǐ yòu báo yòu xì, , zài tā huái lǐ tiào yuè.
The thin, fine strands leaped and twisted in her arms.
Cultural Notes for 苇
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, reeds are often associated with rural landscapes and traditional practices, such as weaving and crafting. They are also significant in poetry and literature, symbolizing resilience and adaptability.
Word Family of 苇
Words Containing This Character4
苇wěireed葦
芦苇reed蘆葦
苇席reed mat葦席
苇箔reed matting葦箔
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 苇 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 苇
It is pronounced as 'wěi' with a falling-rising tone.
Generally, it's more common in informal contexts, like conversations about nature or crafting.
You might hear '苇草' (wěi cǎo), which means reed grass.
