Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
魏wèi(Wei4)
魏 (wèi) refers to a historical kingdom in ancient China, particularly known during the Warring States period and the Three Kingdoms era. It is also a common Chinese surname and is associated with various historical figures and regions, including the Wei dynasty founded by Cao Cao.
Strokes17Radical鬼Frequency#17573DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The state of Wei played a significant role during the Warring States period, and its legacy continues in Chinese literature and drama, especially in stories about the Three Kingdoms. Historical sites related to the Wei state attract tourists interested in this era.
Memory Tip
Think of 魏 as a 'way' (sounds like 'wèi') to remember the ancient kingdom. The character consists of the fish radical 魚 (yú) at the bottom, which can symbolize the riverine landscapes where ancient states thrived, and a component that looks like a roof, suggesting a place where people gather, like a kingdom.
Meanings of 魏
wèi(Wei4)
1Wei state, founded by Cao Cao 曹操, one of the Three Kingdoms from the fall of the Han
2Wei prefecture and Wei county at different historical periods
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 魏
魏Simplified
17Strokes
鬼Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 魏
Podcast: 魏
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 魏
Usage Notes
When using 魏 as a surname, it is common in both formal and informal contexts. Be careful not to confuse it with other similar characters, such as 威 (wēi), which means power or prestige. The tone is crucial; mispronouncing it can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
Although 魏 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to cultural and historical studies at higher levels. Students should focus on recognizing its historical significance and its usage in literature and historical texts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 魏 with similar-sounding characters. For example, misusing 威 (wēi) instead of 魏 (wèi) can lead to misunderstandings about power versus historical context. Always double-check the tone and meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 魏
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 魏 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 鬼 represents the meaning and 委 represents the sound.
1The meaning half鬼 carries the sense.
2The sound half委 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayghost
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 魏? 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 魏?
Decomposition of 魏
IDS Structure⿰委鬼
魏Full Character
=
委wei1
left
鬼gui3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 魏?
How to say surname Wei in Chinese
“surname Wei” in Chinese is魏wèi
魏 (wèi) refers to a historical kingdom in ancient China, particularly known during the Warring States period and the Three Kingdoms era. It is also a common Chinese surname and is associated with various historical figures and regions, including the Wei dynasty founded by Cao Cao.
When to use 魏
When using 魏 as a surname, it is common in both formal and informal contexts. Be careful not to confuse it with other similar characters, such as 威 (wēi), which means power or prestige. The tone is crucial; mispronouncing it can change the meaning entirely.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 魏 with similar-sounding characters. For example, misusing 威 (wēi) instead of 魏 (wèi) can lead to misunderstandings about power versus historical context. Always double-check the tone and meaning.
Write 魏
魏
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 魏 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 魏
魏 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 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
格雷特·____茨到达终点时成绩是2小时29分30秒。
Grete Waitz finished with a time of 2 hrs. 29 min.. 30 sec.
Example Sentences for 魏 (3)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
格雷特·魏茨到达终点时成绩是2小时29分30秒。
gé léi tè· · wèi cí dào dá zhōng diǎn shí chéng jì2 shì 229 xiǎo30 shí。
Grete Waitz finished with a time of 2 hrs. 29 min.. 30 sec.
