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March 24, 2026
癩lài(lai4)
The character 癩 (lài) refers to leprosy, a chronic infectious disease that affects the skin, nerves, and mucous membranes. It can also denote scabies or mange, indicating a broader context of skin-related afflictions. Additionally, it is used metaphorically to describe something shoddy or inferior.
Strokes21Radical疒Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, leprosy was often associated with social stigma and isolation. Historical treatments and societal views on leprosy have shaped how the term is perceived today, emphasizing the need for compassion and understanding.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'lay' person who is afflicted with leprosy, where the '癩' character looks like a person with patches on their skin. The '癸' radical at the bottom can remind you of the 'skin' aspect, while the '白' component signifies white, relating to the appearance of leprosy on skin.
Meanings of 癩
lài(lai4)
1leprosy; scabies, mange; shoddy
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About 癩
癩Simplified
21Strokes
疒Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 癩
Podcast: 癩
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AI Study Notes for 癩
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'lay' person who is afflicted with leprosy, where the '癩' character looks like a person with patches on their skin. The '癸' radical at the bottom can remind you of the 'skin' aspect, while the '白' component signifies white, relating to the appearance of leprosy on skin.
Usage Notes
This term is typically used in medical or descriptive contexts rather than in casual conversation. Be cautious with its connotation, as using it to describe something as 'shoddy' can come off as quite harsh or negative. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words that do not have medical implications.
HSK Study Tips
Though 癩 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your grasp of more complex medical terms. Focus on the radicals and components to see how they connect to other words related to health and skin.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, leprosy was often associated with social stigma and isolation. Historical treatments and societal views on leprosy have shaped how the term is perceived today, emphasizing the need for compassion and understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 癩 with the similar-sounding 来 (lái), which means 'to come.' For example, saying '我有癩' (wǒ yǒu lái) to mean 'I have come' is incorrect; instead, it should be '我来了' (wǒ lái le).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 癩
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Cultural Notes for 癩
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, leprosy was often associated with social stigma and isolation. Historical treatments and societal views on leprosy have shaped how the term is perceived today, emphasizing the need for compassion and understanding.
Word Family of 癩
Words Containing This Character3
癞蛤蟆toad癩蛤蟆
癞làiscabies癩
癞蛤蟆想吃天鹅肉lit. the toad wants to eat swan meat (idiom)癩蛤蟆想吃天鵝肉
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 癞蛤蟆 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 癩
癩 can refer to medical conditions like leprosy and scabies, as well as metaphorically to describe something of poor quality.
It's rarely used in casual conversation; it is more commonly found in medical contexts or literature.
The correct pronunciation is 'lài', with a falling tone.
