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March 24, 2026
睞lài(lai4)
The character 睞 (lài) refers to the action of squinting or casting a sidelong glance. It is often used to describe a subtle or sideways look that might convey suspicion, curiosity, or judgment without direct confrontation.
Strokes13Radical目Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the way one looks at another can convey deep meaning, often more than words. A sidelong glance can imply disapproval or gossip in social situations, reflecting the importance of indirect communication.
Memory Tip
Imagine a cat (the character's radical '目' meaning 'eye') squinting at a mouse, trying to remain unnoticed. The sound 'lài' can be remembered by thinking of the cat's sly look as it prepares to pounce.
Meanings of 睞
lài(lai4)
1to squint at; a sidelong glance
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 睞
睞Simplified
13Strokes
目Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 睞
Podcast: 睞
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AI Study Notes for 睞
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a cat (the character's radical '目' meaning 'eye') squinting at a mouse, trying to remain unnoticed. The sound 'lài' can be remembered by thinking of the cat's sly look as it prepares to pounce.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of using 睞 in appropriate contexts, as it can carry a negative connotation of judgment or suspicion. It's more common in informal settings and is often used in literary contexts rather than daily conversation.
HSK Study Tips
Though not included in the HSK levels, this character can be connected to other characters with the 'eye' radical, such as 看 (kàn, to see) and 视 (shì, to look). Focus on understanding the subtleties of 'seeing' and 'looking' in Mandarin.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the way one looks at another can convey deep meaning, often more than words. A sidelong glance can imply disapproval or gossip in social situations, reflecting the importance of indirect communication.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 睞 with similar-looking characters like 看 (kàn), which means 'to see.' For example, saying '我睞电视' (wǒ lài diànshì) instead of '我看电视' (wǒ kàn diànshì) is incorrect since it misuses the meaning of the word.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 睞
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Cultural Notes for 睞
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the way one looks at another can convey deep meaning, often more than words. A sidelong glance can imply disapproval or gossip in social situations, reflecting the importance of indirect communication.
Word Family of 睞
Words Containing This Character2
青睐favor青睞
睐làito glance睞
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 青睐 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 睞
The pronunciation 'lài' has a falling tone, so make sure to use a sharp downward inflection.
No, it is more often found in written texts or literary works rather than in everyday speech.
It's best used for sidelong or squinty looks, particularly when there's an implication of judgment or suspicion.
