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March 24, 2026
耒lěi(lei3)
The character 耒 (lěi) refers to a traditional agricultural tool used for plowing the earth. It symbolizes the act of farming and is often associated with cultivation and labor in agricultural contexts. This character highlights the importance of agriculture in Chinese culture and history.
Strokes6Radical耒Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In ancient China, agriculture was a cornerstone of society, and tools like the plow (耒) were vital for sustaining the population. This character is often found in historical texts that discuss the agrarian lifestyle and philosophies of Confucianism, which emphasized the importance of farming.
Memory Tip
Imagine a farmer using a plow (耒) to prepare the fields for planting. The character looks like a simplified depiction of a plow, with the horizontal line representing the blade and the vertical line as the handle. Remembering it as 'lěi' can be linked to the sound of 'lay' as in laying the ground for crops.
Meanings of 耒
lěi(lei3)
1plow
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About 耒
耒Simplified
6Strokes
耒Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 耒
Podcast: 耒
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AI Study Notes for 耒
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a farmer using a plow (耒) to prepare the fields for planting. The character looks like a simplified depiction of a plow, with the horizontal line representing the blade and the vertical line as the handle. Remembering it as 'lěi' can be linked to the sound of 'lay' as in laying the ground for crops.
Usage Notes
耒 is not commonly used in modern language outside of historical or literary contexts. It appears more frequently in compound words related to farming. Be cautious with its tone; using the wrong tone can lead to confusion with other characters.
HSK Study Tips
Although 耒 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be useful for learners interested in agricultural terms or classical texts. Connecting it with other farming-related vocabulary can enhance understanding of the cultural significance of agriculture in China.
Cultural Note
In ancient China, agriculture was a cornerstone of society, and tools like the plow (耒) were vital for sustaining the population. This character is often found in historical texts that discuss the agrarian lifestyle and philosophies of Confucianism, which emphasized the importance of farming.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 耒 with the character 来 (lái), which means 'to come.' Remember that 耒 relates to agriculture, while 来 is about movement or arrival.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 耒
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Cultural Notes for 耒
🏮Cultural insight
In ancient China, agriculture was a cornerstone of society, and tools like the plow (耒) were vital for sustaining the population. This character is often found in historical texts that discuss the agrarian lifestyle and philosophies of Confucianism, which emphasized the importance of farming.
Word Family of 耒
Words Containing This Character4
耒lěiplow
耒阳Leiyang county level city in Hengyang 衡陽|衡阳[Héngyáng], Hunan耒陽
耒阳市Leiyang county level city in Hengyang 衡陽|衡阳[Héngyáng], Hunan耒陽市
耒耜plow
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 耒 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 耒
It primarily refers to the plow, an agricultural tool, but is not commonly used in everyday conversation.
耒 is not commonly found in idioms, but it may appear in literary contexts related to agriculture.
