weed, goosefoot; fallow field; used in transliterations
x, 12 strokes, radical 艹, Very Hard
lái(lai2) T2
1weed, goosefoot; fallow field; used in transliterations
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March 24, 2026
萊lái(lai2)
The character 萊 (lái) refers primarily to a type of weed, specifically the goosefoot plant. It can also denote a fallow field, which is land that has been left unplanted and is often used in agricultural contexts. Additionally, 萊 is sometimes used in transliterations for foreign words, particularly in names or dishes.
Strokes12Radical艹Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In ancient China, fallow fields (the meaning of 萊) were critical for sustainable agriculture, reflecting the importance of crop rotation and land management in traditional farming practices.
Memory Tip
Imagine a field filled with lush green weeds (representing 萊) swaying in the breeze. The character itself resembles a plant (the radical for grass, 艹, is on top), which helps you remember its association with vegetation.
Meanings of 萊
lái(lai2)
1weed, goosefoot; fallow field; used in transliterations
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 萊
萊Simplified
12Strokes
艹Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 萊
Podcast: 萊
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AI Study Notes for 萊
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a field filled with lush green weeds (representing 萊) swaying in the breeze. The character itself resembles a plant (the radical for grass, 艹, is on top), which helps you remember its association with vegetation.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 萊 with similar characters like 莱 (lái), which is used more commonly in modern contexts. It's important to note that 萊 might be considered more formal or literary. Common collocations include 萊草 (lái cǎo - goosefoot grass).
HSK Study Tips
While 萊 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your reading of classical texts or literature. Focus on recognizing its form and context, especially in historical or agricultural discussions.
Cultural Note
In ancient China, fallow fields (the meaning of 萊) were critical for sustainable agriculture, reflecting the importance of crop rotation and land management in traditional farming practices.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 萊 with 莱, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我喜欢莱草' instead of '我喜欢萊草' can lead to misunderstandings, as the latter is the correct term for goosefoot grass.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 萊
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Cultural Notes for 萊
🏮Cultural insight
In ancient China, fallow fields (the meaning of 萊) were critical for sustainable agriculture, reflecting the importance of crop rotation and land management in traditional farming practices.
Word Family of 萊
Words Containing This Character15
莱láiChenopodium album萊
好莱坞Hollywood好萊塢
布莱尔Blair (name)布萊爾
克莱尔Claire (name)克萊爾
布莱恩Brian (name)布萊恩
蓬莱by extension, fairyland蓬萊
欧莱雅L'Oréal (French cosmetics company)歐萊雅
克莱斯勒Chrysler克萊斯勒
劳斯莱斯Rolls-Royce勞斯萊斯
贝尔格莱德Belgrade, capital of Serbia貝爾格萊德
克莱Clay (name)克萊
文莱Brunei Darussalam, independent sultanate in northwest Borneo文萊
阿德莱德Adelaide, capital of South Australia阿德萊德
莱卡Leica camera萊卡
莱西Laixi county level city in Qingdao 青島|青岛, Shandong萊西
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 莱 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 萊
莱 is a simplified version of 萊 and is more commonly used in modern Mandarin. Both share the same pronunciation but are used in different contexts.
Not typically, as it is more formal and often appears in literary or agricultural contexts.
There are no widely recognized idioms featuring 萊, but it may appear in discussions around agriculture or botany.
