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莱 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
莱
lái
weed, goosefoot; fallow field; used in transliterations
ns, 10 strokes, radical 艹, rank #1886, Medium
莱
lái
name of weed plant (fat hen, goosefoot, pigweed etc)
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 艹, rank #1886, Medium
莱
lái
Chenopodium album
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 艹, rank #1886, Medium
lái(lai2)lai T2
1weed, goosefoot; fallow field; used in transliterations
2name of weed plant (fat hen, goosefoot, pigweed etc)
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March 24, 2026
莱(萊)lái(lai2)
The character '莱' (lái) primarily refers to a type of weed known as goosefoot or fat hen, which is often found in fallow fields. It is also used in transliterations of foreign words and names. In agricultural contexts, it may symbolize fields that are uncultivated or overgrown with weeds.
Strokes10Radical艹Frequency#1886DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
'莱' is linked to traditional Chinese agriculture where weeds were often viewed as both a nuisance and a resource. In some regions, certain weeds like goosefoot are foraged for food, demonstrating the utilitarian aspect of what is often considered undesirable.
Memory tip
Imagine a 'goose' (sounds like 'lái') that is 'lying' down in a field overgrown with weeds. The character '莱' has a radical that resembles plants, which can help you visualize its connection to nature and growth.
Meanings of 莱
lái(lai2)
1weed, goosefoot; fallow field; used in transliterations
2name of weed plant (fat hen, goosefoot, pigweed etc)
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 莱
莱Simplified
萊Traditional
10Strokes
艹Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 莱
Podcast: 莱
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AI study notes for 莱
Usage Notes
This character is often used in academic or scientific contexts related to botany. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters; context is crucial. Common phrases include '莱草' (lái cǎo) for goosefoot and '野莱' (yě lái) for wild vegetables.
HSK Study Tips
Although '莱' is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it relates to HSK Level 3 words like '田' (tián, field) and '草' (cǎo, grass). Focus on understanding its usage in specific contexts, especially in botany, to enhance your vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '莱' with '来' (lái, to come) due to similar pronunciation. Remember, '莱' relates to plants while '来' refers to movement or arrival.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 莱
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Learning Lab
Knowing 莱 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
莱 = 艹 + 来. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 莱
IDS Structure⿱艹来
莱Full character
=
艹cao3
top
来lai2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 莱?
How to say weed, goosefoot; fallow field; used in transliterations in Chinese
“weed, goosefoot; fallow field; used in transliterations” in Chinese is莱lái
The character '莱' (lái) primarily refers to a type of weed known as goosefoot or fat hen, which is often found in fallow fields. It is also used in transliterations of foreign words and names. In agricultural contexts, it may symbolize fields that are uncultivated or overgrown with weeds.
When to use 莱
This character is often used in academic or scientific contexts related to botany. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters; context is crucial. Common phrases include '莱草' (lái cǎo) for goosefoot and '野莱' (yě lái) for wild vegetables.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse '莱' with '来' (lái, to come) due to similar pronunciation. Remember, '莱' relates to plants while '来' refers to movement or arrival.
Write 莱
莱
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Practice writing 莱 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 莱
莱 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
这里是吉姆·菲什在贝尔格____德发来的关于事件进展的报道。
With a report on these developments, here's Jim Fish in Belgrade.
Example sentences for 莱 (10)
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1
这里是吉姆·菲什在贝尔格莱德发来的关于事件进展的报道。
zhèlǐ shì jí mǔ· fēi shén zài bèi ěr gé lái dé fā lái de guānyú shìjiàn jìnzhǎn de bàodào。
With a report on these developments, here's Jim Fish in Belgrade.
2
数年前，艾莱的农场就实现了机械化。
shù niánqián， ài lái de nóngchǎng jiù shíxiàn le jīxiè huà。
Mechanization happened years ago on the farms of Islay.
3
好莱坞的大牌影星们出席了那个舞会。
hǎo lái wù de dà pái yǐngxīng men chūxí le nàge wǔ huì。
The Ball was attended by the cream of Hollywood society.
