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March 24, 2026
葵kuí(kui2)
The character 葵 (kuí) primarily refers to the sunflower, a plant known for its large, bright yellow flowers that turn towards the sun. It can also mean 'to measure' in specific contexts, often relating to dimensions or quantities. Commonly, it is used in discussions about gardening, agriculture, and culinary uses of the sunflower.
Strokes12Radical艹Frequency#21190DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
Sunflowers hold significant cultural importance in China, symbolizing warmth, positivity, and loyalty. They are often used in festivals and can also represent a longing for a loved one, as they are associated with the sun and brightness.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sunflower (葵) stretching its face towards the sun, symbolizing its name. The character has the radical '艹' (grass) on top, indicating it is a plant. Visualize the large, round flower measuring the warmth of the sun with its petals, helping you remember both the meaning and pronunciation (kuí).
Meanings of 葵
kuí(kui2)
1sunflower; to measure
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 葵
葵Simplified
12Strokes
艹Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 葵
Podcast: 葵
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AI Study Notes for 葵
Usage Notes
When using 葵, it is important to remember that it is primarily used in the context of the sunflower rather than other types of flowers. A common mistake is confusing it with the character for 'measure' (量 liàng), which can lead to miscommunication. It's more commonly used in informal contexts.
HSK Study Tips
Although 葵 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it is beneficial to learn alongside related words like 花 (huā - flower) and 植物 (zhíwù - plant). Focus on pronunciation and context to differentiate it from other botanical terms.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 葵 with other similar plant characters, mistakenly using it to describe flowers like roses or lilies. Always remember that 葵 specifically refers to sunflowers.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 葵
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2The sound half癸 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayplant
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 葵? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 葵?
Decomposition of 葵
IDS Structure⿱艹癸
葵Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
癸gui3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 葵?
How to say sunflower; to measure in Chinese
“sunflower; to measure” in Chinese is葵kuí
The character 葵 (kuí) primarily refers to the sunflower, a plant known for its large, bright yellow flowers that turn towards the sun. It can also mean 'to measure' in specific contexts, often relating to dimensions or quantities. Commonly, it is used in discussions about gardening, agriculture, and culinary uses of the sunflower.
When to use 葵
When using 葵, it is important to remember that it is primarily used in the context of the sunflower rather than other types of flowers. A common mistake is confusing it with the character for 'measure' (量 liàng), which can lead to miscommunication. It's more commonly used in informal contexts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 葵 with other similar plant characters, mistakenly using it to describe flowers like roses or lilies. Always remember that 葵 specifically refers to sunflowers.
Write 葵
葵
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Practice writing 葵 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 葵
葵 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
这是天竺____和矮牵牛盛开的时节。
This is when geraniums and petunias come into their own.
Example Sentences for 葵 (7)
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1
这是天竺葵和矮牵牛盛开的时节。
zhè shì tiān zhú kuí hé ǎi qiān niú shèng kāi de shí jié。
This is when geraniums and petunias come into their own.
