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椎 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
椎
chuí
a hammer
n, 12 strokes, radical 木, rank #26094, Very Hard
椎
chuí
spine
n, 12 strokes, radical 木, rank #26094, Very Hard
椎
chuí
spine, vertebra; hammer, mallet
n, 12 strokes, radical 木, rank #26094, Very Hard
椎
zhuī
a hammer
n, 12 strokes, radical 木, rank #26094, Very Hard
椎
zhuī
spine
n, 12 strokes, radical 木, rank #26094, Very Hard
椎
zhuī
spine, vertebra; hammer, mallet
n, 12 strokes, radical 木, rank #26094, Very Hard
chuí(chui2)chui
primary
T2
1a hammer
2spine
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March 24, 2026
椎chuí(chui2)
The character 椎 (chuí) primarily refers to a 'spine' or 'vertebra' in a biological context. It can also mean 'hammer' or 'mallet,' often used in contexts involving tools or striking. In both usages, the term conveys a sense of structure and impact.
Strokes12Radical木Frequency#26094DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of the spine is crucial for understanding health and wellness; it is often associated with the flow of qi (energy) in the body. The spine is viewed not just as a structural element but as integral to overall health.
Memory tip
Imagine a spine that looks like a series of hammers stacked together. The left component 木 (mù) represents wood, hinting at the material of a hammer, while the right component 追 (zhuī) sounds like 'chui' and suggests striking or following through with force.
Meanings of 椎
chuí(chui2)
primary
1a hammer
2spine
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 椎
椎Simplified
12Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#26094Frequency Rank
Podcast: 椎
Podcast: 椎
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AI study notes for 椎
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 椎 with other similar characters like 骨 (gǔ) for 'bone.' This word is more technical and is often used in medical or anatomical contexts rather than in casual conversation. Be mindful of the tone; it’s pronounced with a rising tone (chuí).
HSK Study Tips
Although 椎 is not included in the HSK lists, it connects to HSK Level 4 vocabulary related to anatomy and tools. Students should focus on the components of the character and its pronunciation to accurately use it in context.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 椎 with 杆 (gǎn), which means 'rod' or 'pole.' A common error is saying '椎骨' (chuí gǔ) when referring to 'vertebrae' instead of correctly using '脊椎' (jǐ chuí).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 椎
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 椎 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.
椎 = 木 + 隹. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 椎
IDS Structure⿰木隹
椎Full character
=
木Mu4
left
隹zhui1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 椎?
How to say a hammer in Chinese
“a hammer” in Chinese is椎chuí
The character 椎 (chuí) primarily refers to a 'spine' or 'vertebra' in a biological context. It can also mean 'hammer' or 'mallet,' often used in contexts involving tools or striking. In both usages, the term conveys a sense of structure and impact.
When to use 椎
Common mistakes include confusing 椎 with other similar characters like 骨 (gǔ) for 'bone.' This word is more technical and is often used in medical or anatomical contexts rather than in casual conversation. Be mindful of the tone; it’s pronounced with a rising tone (chuí).
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 椎 with 杆 (gǎn), which means 'rod' or 'pole.' A common error is saying '椎骨' (chuí gǔ) when referring to 'vertebrae' instead of correctly using '脊椎' (jǐ chuí).
Write 椎
椎
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Practice writing 椎 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 椎
椎 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 3 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
这一动作舒展脊____，使脊神经更加强健。
This movement lengthens your spine and tones the spinal nerves.
Example sentences for 椎 (6)
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1
这一动作舒展脊椎，使脊神经更加强健。
zhè yī dòngzuò shūzhǎn jí chuí， shǐ jí shénjīng gèngjiā jiàng jiàn。
This movement lengthens your spine and tones the spinal nerves.
2
两组都具有通常脊椎动物才具备的两个特征。
liǎng zǔ dōu jùyǒu tōngcháng jí chuí dòngwù cái jùbèi de liǎng gè tèzhēng。
Both groups share two attributes normally associated with vertebrates.
3
鱼 、 鸟和人类都是脊椎动物.
yú、 niǎo hé rénlèi dōushì jí chuí dòngwù.
Fish, birds, and human beings are vertebrates.
4
我的脊椎骨有一节脱位。
wǒ de jí chuí gǔ yǒu yī jié tuō wèi。
A bone in my spine was out of alignment .
5
鲍威尔的椎间盘破裂，在床上躺了一年。
bào wēi ěr de chuí jiān pán pòliè， zài chuáng shàng tǎng le yī nián。
Powell ruptured a disc in his back and was laid up for a year.
6
但是, 在脊椎动物中, 神秘莫测的大自然只选择了蛇 ( 和一种蜥蜴 ).
dànshì, zài jí chuí dòngwù zhōng, shénmì mò cè de dàzìrán zhī xuǎnzé le shé ( hé yī zhǒng xī yì ).
But, of the vertebrates, unpredictable Nature selected only snakes ( and one lizard ).
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Word Family of 椎
Words containing this character13
脊椎jǐzhuīvertebra
椎chuía hammer
颈椎jǐngzhuīcervical vertebra頸椎
腰椎yāozhuīlumbar vertebra (lower backbone)
椎骨zhuīgǔvertebra
椎间盘zhuījiānpánintervertebral disk椎間盤
颈椎病jǐngzhuībìngcervical spondylosis頸椎病
脊椎骨jǐzhuīgǔvertebra
胸椎xiōngzhuīthoracic vertebra
脊椎动物jǐzhuīdòngwùvertebrate脊椎動物
腰椎间盘yāozhuījiānpánintervertebral disk腰椎間盤
无脊椎动物wújǐzhuīdòngwùinvertebrate無脊椎動物
尾椎wěizhuīcoccyx
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 椎
What does 脊椎 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 椎
It is pronounced as 'chuí' with a rising tone.
You would typically use 椎 in medical discussions or when referring to tools like hammers.
Yes, in medical contexts, you might encounter 骨 (gǔ) for 'bone,' but it has a different meaning.
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