Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
帷 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
wéicurtain, screen, tentn, 11 strokes, radical 巾, rank #45066, Very Hard
wéi(wei2) T2
  1. 1curtain, screen, tent
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

wéi(wei2)

The character 帷 (wéi) refers to a curtain, screen, or tent. It is commonly used in contexts involving privacy, separation, or decoration, such as in homes or theatrical settings, where curtains might be drawn to create an atmosphere or to obscure view.

Strokes11RadicalFrequency#45066DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese theater, elaborate curtains (帷) are used to create dramatic entrances or exits, symbolizing the transition between reality and performance. This highlights the importance of visual aesthetics in Chinese cultural expressions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large, billowing curtain (帷) that sways gently in the wind, creating a cozy space behind it. The top part of the character looks like the draped fabric of a curtain, while the bottom suggests a strong foundation, anchoring the curtain in place.

Meanings of 帷

wéi(wei2)
1curtain, screen, tent
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 帷

Simplified
11Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 帷

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 帷

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a large, billowing curtain (帷) that sways gently in the wind, creating a cozy space behind it. The top part of the character looks like the draped fabric of a curtain, while the bottom suggests a strong foundation, anchoring the curtain in place.

Usage Notes

This character is more formal and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation compared to simpler terms for 'curtain' like 窗帘 (chuānglián). Be cautious with tone; the pronunciation wéi (2nd tone) can be confused with other similar-sounding characters.

HSK Study Tips

While 帷 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, learners should recognize it as a more advanced term related to home and decoration contexts. Students at this level should focus on recognizing characters that depict physical objects, which often have practical applications in conversation.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese theater, elaborate curtains (帷) are used to create dramatic entrances or exits, symbolizing the transition between reality and performance. This highlights the importance of visual aesthetics in Chinese cultural expressions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 帷 with other similar characters that mean 'curtain' or 'screen', such as 窗帘 (chuānglián). For instance, saying '我需要一个帷' (Wǒ xūyào yīgè wéi) could be awkward in casual conversation; instead, use '我需要一个窗帘' (Wǒ xūyào yīgè chuānglián).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 帷

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 帷

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 巾 represents the meaning and 隹 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

curtain

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 帷?

Decomposition of 帷

IDS Structure⿰巾隹
Full Character
=
jin1
left
zhui1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 帷?

Write 帷

Practice writing 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 帷

帷 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 2

Complete the Sentence

宴会厅的墙上挂着绣____.

The walls of the banqueting hall were hung with tapestries.

Example Sentences for 帷 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
宴会厅的墙上挂着绣帷.

yàn huì tīng de qiáng shàng guà zháo xiù wéi.

The walls of the banqueting hall were hung with tapestries.

Cultural Notes for 帷

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese theater, elaborate curtains (帷) are used to create dramatic entrances or exits, symbolizing the transition between reality and performance. This highlights the importance of visual aesthetics in Chinese cultural expressions.

Word Family of 帷

Words Containing This Character5
帷幕heavy curtain
wéicurtain
运筹帷幄fig. planning strategies運籌帷幄
帷幔drapery
窗帷curtain
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 帷幕 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 帷

While 帷 specifically refers to a style of curtain or screen, English encompasses a broader range of curtain types. In Chinese, 帷 often implies something more decorative or significant.