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March 24, 2026
脆(脃)cuì(cui4)
The character 脆 (cuì) describes something that is fragile, brittle, or crisp. It is commonly used in contexts related to food, such as describing the crispiness of snacks or the tenderness of certain fruits, and can also refer to sounds that are clear and loud, or a neat appearance.
Strokes10Radical⺼Frequency#7415DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, the texture of food is highly valued, and terms like 脆 are frequently used to describe dishes, emphasizing the cultural importance of texture in culinary experiences.
Memory Tip
Imagine a delicate piece of glass (脆) that shatters easily. The left part of the character, 月, can remind you of a 'moon' that is fragile and beautiful, while the right part, the 'foot' radical, suggests being careful when walking on a brittle surface.
Meanings of 脆
cuì(cui4)
1fragile, frail; brittle, crisp
2crunchy
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About 脆
脆Simplified
脃Traditional
10Strokes
⺼Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#7415Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 脆
Podcast: 脆
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AI Study Notes for 脆
Quick Contrast
脆 (cuì) vs 酥 (sū) — use 脆 for something that is crisp or brittle, while 酥 refers specifically to something flaky or tender, often in baked goods.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 脆 (cuì) with similar-sounding characters. It's often used in both formal and informal contexts but is most common in everyday conversations about food. Common collocations include 脆皮 (crisp skin) and 脆弱 (fragile).
HSK Study Tips
Although 脆 is not strictly in the HSK vocabulary list, it connects with related words like 脆弱 (fragile) and 脆皮 (crisp skin), which can be useful in describing textures. Students should focus on pronunciation and usage in food-related contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 脆 (cuì) with similar-sounding characters like 崔 (cuī), which means 'to urge.' A common mistake is saying '脆弱' as '脆弱' with the wrong tone; ensure to use the correct tone for clarity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 脆
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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.
How to say fragile, frail; brittle, crisp in Chinese
“fragile, frail; brittle, crisp” in Chinese is脆cuì
The character 脆 (cuì) describes something that is fragile, brittle, or crisp. It is commonly used in contexts related to food, such as describing the crispiness of snacks or the tenderness of certain fruits, and can also refer to sounds that are clear and loud, or a neat appearance.
When to use 脆
Be cautious not to confuse 脆 (cuì) with similar-sounding characters. It's often used in both formal and informal contexts but is most common in everyday conversations about food. Common collocations include 脆皮 (crisp skin) and 脆弱 (fragile).
脆 or something close to it
脆 (cuì) vs 酥 (sū) — use 脆 for something that is crisp or brittle, while 酥 refers specifically to something flaky or tender, often in baked goods.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 脆 (cuì) with similar-sounding characters like 崔 (cuī), which means 'to urge.' A common mistake is saying '脆弱' as '脆弱' with the wrong tone; ensure to use the correct tone for clarity.
Write 脆
脆
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Grammar Patterns of 脆
脆 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 6 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.
