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榱 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
cuīrafterg, 14 strokes, radical 木, Very Hard
cuīrafter (classical)unknown, 14 strokes, radical 木, Very Hard
cuī(cui1) T1
  1. 1rafter
  2. 2rafter (classical)
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March 24, 2026

cuī(cui1)

榱 (cuī) refers to a rafter, a structural element that supports the roof of a building. This term is often used in classical Chinese texts and architecture discussions, emphasizing its significance in traditional construction methods.

Strokes14RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese architecture, rafters like 榱 play a crucial role in the structure and aesthetic of roofs, showcasing the craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'cruise' (sounds like cuī) on a boat with rafters supporting a deck overhead. The character 榱 has a tree radical (木) suggesting its wooden nature, reinforcing the idea of sturdy rafters made from trees.

Meanings of 榱

cuī(cui1)
1rafter
2rafter (classical)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 榱

Simplified
14Strokes
Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 榱

JasonAmy

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AI Study Notes for 榱

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'cruise' (sounds like cuī) on a boat with rafters supporting a deck overhead. The character 榱 has a tree radical (木) suggesting its wooden nature, reinforcing the idea of sturdy rafters made from trees.

Usage Notes

Be aware that 榱 is more commonly used in literary or formal contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Collocations might include phrases related to architecture or construction. Learners should also note the correct pronunciation to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 榱 is not in the HSK vocabulary list, understanding it can enhance your knowledge of architectural terms and classical literature, which often uses such terms. Focus on recognizing the tree radical and associating it with construction-related vocabulary.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese architecture, rafters like 榱 play a crucial role in the structure and aesthetic of roofs, showcasing the craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 榱 with similar-sounding words. For example, saying 'cuī' while referring to a different roofing element like 椽 instead of recognizing its specific classical usage. Always check the context to use the correct term.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 榱

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Etymology of 榱

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

wood

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 榱?

Decomposition of 榱

IDS Structure⿰木衰
Full Character
=
Mu4
left
cui1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 榱?

Write 榱

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

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Cultural Notes for 榱

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese architecture, rafters like 榱 play a crucial role in the structure and aesthetic of roofs, showcasing the craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations.

Word Family of 榱

Words Containing This Character1
cuīrafter (classical)
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 榱 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 榱

No, 榱 is more frequently encountered in classical texts or discussions about traditional architecture.