Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
棶 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
棶láidogwood; Cornus macrophyllazg, 12 strokes, radical 木, rank #86671, Very Hard
lái(lai2)lai T2
  1. 1dogwood; Cornus macrophylla
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

棶lái(lai2)

The character 棶 (lái) refers to a type of tree known as dogwood, specifically the species Cornus macrophylla. This tree is often noted for its ornamental value and is commonly found in temperate regions. It can also be used in traditional contexts relating to botany or gardening.

Strokes12Radical木Frequency#86671DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, trees like the dogwood are often associated with beauty and resilience, making them popular in gardens and parks. Their flowers are celebrated in various local festivals.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large dogwood tree (the meaning of 棶) with thick branches (the radical 木 for 'wood') and a dog (sounds like 'lái') sitting under it. This imagery helps you remember both the character's structure and pronunciation.

Meanings of 棶

lái(lai2)
1dogwood; Cornus macrophylla
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 棶 means.

About 棶

棶Simplified
12Strokes
木Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 棶

JasonAmy

Podcast: 棶

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 棶

Usage Notes

This character is relatively uncommon and may not be used frequently in daily conversation. It is more likely to appear in botanical or academic contexts. Be mindful of using the correct tone, as mispronunciation could lead to confusion with similarly pronounced words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 棶 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding this word can enhance your botanical vocabulary. Students should focus on recognizing tree-related characters and their uses in contexts of nature and gardening.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse 棶 with more common tree characters due to its rarity. For example, using 棶 when they mean 'tree' (树, shù) or 'wood' (木, mù) is a common error. Always check the context to ensure you're using the correct term.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 棶

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 棶 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

Jason Explains 棶 to You

Let me explain 棶 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 棶 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 棶?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 棶 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.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 棶

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

tree

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

Origin

棶 = 木 + 來. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 棶

IDS Structure⿰木來
棶Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
來lai2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 棶?

How to say dogwood; Cornus macrophylla in Chinese

“dogwood; Cornus macrophylla” in Chinese is棶lái

The character 棶 (lái) refers to a type of tree known as dogwood, specifically the species Cornus macrophylla. This tree is often noted for its ornamental value and is commonly found in temperate regions. It can also be used in traditional contexts relating to botany or gardening.

When to use 棶

This character is relatively uncommon and may not be used frequently in daily conversation. It is more likely to appear in botanical or academic contexts. Be mindful of using the correct tone, as mispronunciation could lead to confusion with similarly pronounced words.

What learners get wrong

Learners might confuse 棶 with more common tree characters due to its rarity. For example, using 棶 when they mean 'tree' (树, shù) or 'wood' (木, mù) is a common error. Always check the context to ensure you're using the correct term.

Write 棶

棶

Practice writing 棶 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 棶?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Word Family of 棶

Words Containing This Character1
梾láilarge-leaved dogwood (Cornus macrophylla)棶
Exercise 1 of 1

Characters with 棶

What does 梾 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 棶

It is pronounced as 'lái', with a rising tone.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 棶?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab