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March 24, 2026
蕾lěi(lei3)
The character 蕾 (lěi) refers to a flower bud, representing the early stage of a flower before it blooms. It is commonly used in contexts related to nature, gardening, and poetry, often symbolizing potential and beauty yet to be realized.
Strokes16Radical艹Frequency#3198DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, flower buds symbolize potential and the beauty of nature, often celebrated in poetry and art. The blooming of a bud is associated with new beginnings and growth, reflecting cultural values of renewal.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'lei' (rhymes with lěi) made of fresh flower buds, tightly wrapped and waiting to bloom. The character 蕾 has the radical for 'plant' (艹) at the top, connecting it to nature and growth, with the lower part hinting at the shape of a bud.
Meanings of 蕾
lěi(lei3)
1bud
2flower bud
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 蕾 means.
About 蕾
蕾Simplified
16Strokes
艹Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#3198Frequency Rank
Podcast: 蕾
Podcast: 蕾
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AI Study Notes for 蕾
Quick Contrast
蕾 (bud) vs 花 (flower) — use 蕾 when emphasizing the unbloomed state, while 花 refers to the fully blossomed flower.
Usage Notes
When using 蕾, remember that it is often paired with other floral terms or adjectives to describe different types of buds. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts, as it is more poetic or descriptive. Be cautious with the third tone; a common mistake is to pronounce it with a flat tone.
HSK Study Tips
While 蕾 is not included in the HSK levels, it aligns with vocabulary related to nature and flowers, often encountered in advanced readings. Focus on recognizing and using it in descriptive contexts to enhance your language skills related to nature.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 蕾 with similar-sounding characters, such as 雷 (léi, thunder), leading to incorrect meanings. For example, saying '雷的花' (thunder's flower) instead of '蕾的花' (flower's bud) can change the intended imagery.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蕾
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How Well Do You Know 蕾?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 蕾 is seven skills, not one.
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.
蕾 = 艹 + 雷. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 蕾
IDS Structure⿱艹雷
蕾Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
雷Lei2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 蕾?
How to say bud in Chinese
“bud” in Chinese is蕾lěi
The character 蕾 (lěi) refers to a flower bud, representing the early stage of a flower before it blooms. It is commonly used in contexts related to nature, gardening, and poetry, often symbolizing potential and beauty yet to be realized.
When to use 蕾
When using 蕾, remember that it is often paired with other floral terms or adjectives to describe different types of buds. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts, as it is more poetic or descriptive. Be cautious with the third tone; a common mistake is to pronounce it with a flat tone.
蕾 or something close to it
蕾 (bud) vs 花 (flower) — use 蕾 when emphasizing the unbloomed state, while 花 refers to the fully blossomed flower.
What learners get wrong
Learners may confuse 蕾 with similar-sounding characters, such as 雷 (léi, thunder), leading to incorrect meanings. For example, saying '雷的花' (thunder's flower) instead of '蕾的花' (flower's bud) can change the intended imagery.
Write 蕾
蕾
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Practice writing 蕾 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 蕾
蕾 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
你须得忍受格____丝心不在焉的作风。
You will have to put up with Grace's absent-mindedness.
Example Sentences for 蕾 (10)
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1
你须得忍受格蕾丝心不在焉的作风。
nǐ xū dé rěn shòu gé lěi sī xīn bù zài yān de zuò fēng。
You will have to put up with Grace's absent-mindedness.
