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March 24, 2026
危Wēi(Wei1)
The character 危 (wēi) primarily means 'danger' or 'dangerous' and can also refer to situations that are precarious or at risk. It is often used to describe both physical dangers as well as metaphorical ones, such as risky situations in decision-making or relationships.
Strokes6Radical㔾Frequency#13834DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of danger is often linked to the idea of fortune and misfortune, as seen in traditional proverbs. For instance, taking risks is sometimes necessary for success, which reflects a cultural belief in balancing opportunity with caution.
Memory Tip
Imagine a cliff (the radical 卩) that is 'dangerous' (危) to stand on. The cliff represents precariousness, and the sound 'wēi' can be remembered as a warning cry when someone is about to fall. Visualize someone shouting 'weigh carefully!' as they stand on the edge, reminding you of the word and its meaning.
Meanings of 危
Wēi(Wei1)
1danger
2to endanger
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 危
危Simplified
6Strokes
㔾Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#13834Frequency Rank
Podcast: 危
Podcast: 危
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AI Study Notes for 危
Quick Contrast
危 (wēi) vs 难 (nán) — use 危 for physical or imminent danger, while 难 refers to difficulty or hardship.
Usage Notes
When using 危, be aware of its context; it is often combined with words like 危险 (wēi xiǎn) meaning 'dangerous' or 危机 (wēi jī) meaning 'crisis'. A common mistake is to confuse it with its homophone 为 (wéi), which means 'to do' or 'to act'. Remember to use the correct tone to avoid misunderstanding.
HSK Study Tips
Although 危 is not in the official HSK vocabulary list, it is useful for learners at higher levels to understand expressions related to risk and safety. Focus on using it in phrases to describe situations and learn collocations to enhance your vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 危 (wēi) as 为 (wéi), which can lead to confusion. For example, saying '我为危险' (wǒ wéi wēi xiǎn) instead of '我危机' (wǒ wēi jī) can change the intended meaning entirely.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 危
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Depicts a person (人) standing precariously on the edge of a mountain cliff (山).
1The giveawayA person 㔾 at the edge of a cliff 厃; 厃 also provides the pronunciation
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 危? 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 危?
Decomposition of 危
IDS Structure⿱厃㔾
危Full Character
=
厃wei3
top
㔾xian1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 危?
How to say danger in Chinese
“danger” in Chinese is危Wēi
The character 危 (wēi) primarily means 'danger' or 'dangerous' and can also refer to situations that are precarious or at risk. It is often used to describe both physical dangers as well as metaphorical ones, such as risky situations in decision-making or relationships.
When to use 危
When using 危, be aware of its context; it is often combined with words like 危险 (wēi xiǎn) meaning 'dangerous' or 危机 (wēi jī) meaning 'crisis'. A common mistake is to confuse it with its homophone 为 (wéi), which means 'to do' or 'to act'. Remember to use the correct tone to avoid misunderstanding.
危 or something close to it
危 (wēi) vs 难 (nán) — use 危 for physical or imminent danger, while 难 refers to difficulty or hardship.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 危 (wēi) as 为 (wéi), which can lead to confusion. For example, saying '我为危险' (wǒ wéi wēi xiǎn) instead of '我危机' (wǒ wēi jī) can change the intended meaning entirely.
Write 危
危
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Grammar Patterns of 危
危 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 6 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 economic crisis was interpreted in diametrically opposing ways.
Cultural Notes for 危
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, the character 危 signifies not just danger but also serves as a metaphor for precarious situations in life, highlighting the importance of caution and awareness.
Word Family of 危
Compounds21
脆cui4old variant of 脆[cuì]
诡gui3to cheat, to defraud; sly, treacherous
跪gui4to kneel
桅wei2a ship's mast
詭gui3to cheat, to defraud; sly, treacherous
佹
卼
垝
姽
峞
臲nie4tottering, unsteady; jumpy, jittery
鮠
尯
峗
恑
洈
硊
祪
蛫
觤
陒
Words Containing This Character20
危险wēixiǎndanger危險
危机wēijīcrisis危機
危害wēihàito harm
危Wēidanger
危及wēijíto endanger
危急wēijícritical
安危safety
危难calamity危難
危房decrepit house
岌岌可危imminent danger (idiom); approaching a crisis
危害性harmfulness
濒危endangered (species)瀕危
危地马拉Guatemala危地馬拉
危在旦夕in imminent peril (idiom)
垂危close to death
经济危机economic crisis經濟危機
危重critically ill
病危to be critically ill
危险品hazardous materials危險品
危言耸听reds under the beds危言聳聽
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 脆 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 危
Related words include 危险 (wēi xiǎn), which means 'danger' or 'hazard', and 危机 (wēi jī), meaning 'crisis'. These terms often reflect situations that involve risk.
Yes, 危 (wēi) is a recognized surname in China, though it is not among the most common surnames. It can be found in various regions, including Taiwan.
You can use 危 (wēi) in sentences like '这件事情很危' (This matter is very dangerous) or '他在危机中' (He is in danger). It often appears in contexts relating to risk or safety.
危 (wēi) means 'danger' or 'to endanger'. It is used to describe situations that are unsafe or pose a threat. Additionally, it can also be a surname in Chinese culture.
Common phrases include 危险 (wēi xiǎn) for 'dangerous' and 危机 (wēi jī) for 'crisis'.
It can describe not only physical dangers but also metaphorical ones, such as risky decisions or situations.
Yes, it appears in both formal and informal contexts, especially in discussions of safety and risk.
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