Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
逶 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
逶wēiwinding, curving; to swaggerz, 11 strokes, radical 辶
逶wēiswaggerunknown, 11 strokes, radical 辶
wēi(wei1) T1
  1. 1winding, curving; to swagger
  2. 2swagger
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

逶wēi(wei1)

The character 逶 (wēi) conveys the idea of something that is winding or curving, often used in contexts describing paths or rivers. Additionally, it can express a sense of swagger or a confident, unhurried demeanor. This word is more poetic and less common in everyday language, often found in literary contexts.

Strokes11Radical辶
Cultural Note

The concept of winding paths is significant in Chinese culture, often symbolizing life's journey or the twists and turns of fate. This is reflected in traditional poetry and philosophy, where the beauty of nature's curves is celebrated.

Memory Tip

Imagine a winding river (the shape of 逶) that flows gracefully through the landscape, symbolizing the curve in the word's meaning. You could visualize a proud peacock swaggering along the riverbank, embodying the character's alternate meaning of confidence and style.

Meanings of 逶

wēi(wei1)
1winding, curving; to swagger
2swagger
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 逶

逶Simplified
11Strokes
辶Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 逶

JasonAmy

Podcast: 逶

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 逶

Quick Contrast

蜿 (wān) - use 逶 (wēi) when emphasizing a winding path with a sense of elegance, whereas 蜿 (wān) focuses more on the twisting aspect without the poetic nuance.

Usage Notes

While 逶 is not frequently used in daily conversation, it may appear in poetic texts or formal writing. Learners should pay attention to its context to avoid confusion with more common terms for winding or curving, such as 弯 (wān). Be mindful of tonal pronunciation; mispronouncing the first tone could lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

Though 逶 is not featured in the HSK vocabulary lists, it relates to other words describing movement or shape at higher levels. Focus on the character's structure and pronunciation to reinforce your understanding of more commonly used vocabulary with similar meanings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 逶 with similar-sounding characters like 威 (wēi), which means power or prestige. For example, saying '我很逶' (wǒ hěn wēi) instead of '我很威' (wǒ hěn wēi) can lead to misunderstandings, as the meanings are quite different.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 逶

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 逶 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 逶

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

walk

Semantic (meaning)辶
+
Phonetic (sound)委
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 逶

  1. 1The meaning half辶 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half委 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaywalk
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 逶? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 逶?

Decomposition of 逶

IDS Structure⿺辶委
逶Full Character
=
辶chuo4
enclosing
委wei1
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 逶?

How to say winding, curving; to swagger in Chinese

“winding, curving; to swagger” in Chinese is逶wēi

The character 逶 (wēi) conveys the idea of something that is winding or curving, often used in contexts describing paths or rivers. Additionally, it can express a sense of swagger or a confident, unhurried demeanor. This word is more poetic and less common in everyday language, often found in literary contexts.

When to use 逶

While 逶 is not frequently used in daily conversation, it may appear in poetic texts or formal writing. Learners should pay attention to its context to avoid confusion with more common terms for winding or curving, such as 弯 (wān). Be mindful of tonal pronunciation; mispronouncing the first tone could lead to misunderstandings.

逶 or something close to it

蜿 (wān) - use 逶 (wēi) when emphasizing a winding path with a sense of elegance, whereas 蜿 (wān) focuses more on the twisting aspect without the poetic nuance.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 逶 with similar-sounding characters like 威 (wēi), which means power or prestige. For example, saying '我很逶' (wǒ hěn wēi) instead of '我很威' (wǒ hěn wēi) can lead to misunderstandings, as the meanings are quite different.

Write 逶

逶

Practice writing 逶 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 逶

逶 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

公路沿海岸线____迤而行几英里。

The road follows the shoreline for a few miles.

Example Sentences for 逶 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
公路沿海岸线逶迤而行几英里。

gōng lù yán hǎi àn xiàn wēi yǐ ér háng jī yīng lǐ。

The road follows the shoreline for a few miles.

Word Family of 逶

Words Containing This Character2
逶迤curved
逶wēiswagger
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 逶迤 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 逶

逶 means winding or curving, and can also refer to swaggering confidently.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 逶?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.