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March 24, 2026
违(違)wéi(wei2)
The character 违 (wéi) means to disobey or violate rules, laws, or norms. It is often used in contexts where someone is going against established guidelines or expectations, such as in legal or social settings. This word can also imply a sense of separation or divergence from a standard.
Strokes7Radical辶Frequency#13204DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of obedience to authority and social norms is significant, making the notion of 违 particularly relevant in discussions about law and ethics. Violating societal expectations can lead to social ostracism, reflecting the importance placed on harmony and conformity.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person trying to walk straight but instead chooses to walk away from a straight path, symbolizing violation or going against something. The character 违 combines the radical for 'to go' (走) with a component that suggests 'against,' embodying the idea of straying from the correct path.
Meanings of 违
wéi(wei2)
1to disobey
2to violate
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 违
违Simplified
違Traditional
7Strokes
辶Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#13204Frequency Rank
Podcast: 违
Podcast: 违
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AI Study Notes for 违
Quick Contrast
违 (wéi) vs 犯 (fàn) — use 违 when emphasizing disobedience to rules, while 犯 focuses on committing a crime or offense.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 违 with related terms like 违反 (wéifǎn), which also means 'to violate,' but with a more formal tone. It is typically used in more serious contexts, such as legal discussions. Be mindful of the tone; 违 is pronounced with a rising tone (wéi), which is crucial for correct meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Although 违 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is useful for HSK 4-5 learners as it connects well with vocabulary related to law and ethics. Focus on understanding its usage in sentences regarding rules and regulations, as this will enhance comprehension of more complex texts.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes incorrectly use 违 in informal contexts where a softer term would be more appropriate, such as saying '我违约了' (Wǒ wéiyuē le) instead of '我不小心没有遵守约定' (Wǒ bù xiǎoxīn méiyǒu zūnshǒu yuēdìng), which would be more precise.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 违
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Phonosemantic compound. 辶 represents the meaning and 韦 represents the sound. Simplified form of 違.
1The meaning half辶 carries the sense.
2The sound half韦 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaywalk
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 违? 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 违?
Decomposition of 违
IDS Structure⿺辶韦
违Full Character
=
辶chuo4
enclosing
韦Wei2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 违?
How to say to disobey in Chinese
“to disobey” in Chinese is违wéi
The character 违 (wéi) means to disobey or violate rules, laws, or norms. It is often used in contexts where someone is going against established guidelines or expectations, such as in legal or social settings. This word can also imply a sense of separation or divergence from a standard.
When to use 违
Learners often confuse 违 with related terms like 违反 (wéifǎn), which also means 'to violate,' but with a more formal tone. It is typically used in more serious contexts, such as legal discussions. Be mindful of the tone; 违 is pronounced with a rising tone (wéi), which is crucial for correct meaning.
违 or something close to it
违 (wéi) vs 犯 (fàn) — use 违 when emphasizing disobedience to rules, while 犯 focuses on committing a crime or offense.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes incorrectly use 违 in informal contexts where a softer term would be more appropriate, such as saying '我违约了' (Wǒ wéiyuē le) instead of '我不小心没有遵守约定' (Wǒ bù xiǎoxīn méiyǒu zūnshǒu yuēdìng), which would be more precise.
Write 违
违
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Practice writing 违 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 违
违 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 5 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.
