classifier for binary bits (e.g. 十六位 16-bit or 2 bytes)
HSK 2, q, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #239, Easy
位
wèi
seat, throne; rank, status; position, location
HSK 2, q, 7 strokes, radical 亻, rank #239, Easy
wèi(wei4) T4
1position
2location
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March 24, 2026
位wèi(wei4)
The character 位 (wèi) primarily refers to a position or location, often used to indicate someone's status or rank. It can also function as a classifier for people in a respectful manner and is commonly seen in contexts related to seating arrangements or hierarchical structures.
Strokes7Radical亻Frequency#239DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, social hierarchy is important, and 位 reflects the significance of position and respect. For example, during formal occasions, seating arrangements are often based on one’s status, demonstrating the cultural weight this character carries.
Memory Tip
Think of 位 (wèi) as a throne (王) where someone sits (位) to represent their high position. Visualize a king on a throne, emphasizing the honor associated with the 'seat' of power, and remember that 'wèi' sounds like 'way,' which can remind you of a 'way' to show respect.
Meanings of 位
wèi(wei4)
1position
2location
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 位
位Simplified
7Strokes
亻Radical
量词liàngcímeasure word (mw.)Part of Speech
#239Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 位
Podcast: 位
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AI Study Notes for 位
Quick Contrast
座 (zuò) vs 位 (wèi): Use 位 (wèi) for respectful references to people or status, while 座 (zuò) refers specifically to physical seats or locations.
Usage Notes
位 is often used in formal contexts when referring to people's positions, so it may come off as too formal in casual settings. A common mistake is to confuse 位 with 位置 (wèizhì), which specifically means 'location' rather than 'position' or 'rank.'
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 3 word, 位 helps learners understand concepts of hierarchy and respect in social interactions. Focus on its usage in polite forms of address and practice combining it with verbs like 'to sit' (坐) or 'to be' (是) to create meaningful sentences.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 位 with the similar sounding 位置 (wèizhì), which means 'location' rather than 'position.' For example, saying '我在这里的位置是重要的' (Wǒ zài zhèlǐ de wèizhì shì zhòngyào de) is incorrect; it should be '我在这里的位是重要的' to refer to one's position.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 位
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Depicts a person (亻) standing (立) in a specific location.
1The giveawayThe place where a person 亻 stands 立
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 位? 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 位?
Decomposition of 位
IDS Structure⿰亻立
位Full Character
=
亻ren2
left
立Li4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 位?
How to say position in Chinese
“position” in Chinese is位wèi
The character 位 (wèi) primarily refers to a position or location, often used to indicate someone's status or rank. It can also function as a classifier for people in a respectful manner and is commonly seen in contexts related to seating arrangements or hierarchical structures.
When to use 位
位 is often used in formal contexts when referring to people's positions, so it may come off as too formal in casual settings. A common mistake is to confuse 位 with 位置 (wèizhì), which specifically means 'location' rather than 'position' or 'rank.'
位 or something close to it
座 (zuò) vs 位 (wèi): Use 位 (wèi) for respectful references to people or status, while 座 (zuò) refers specifically to physical seats or locations.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 位 with the similar sounding 位置 (wèizhì), which means 'location' rather than 'position.' For example, saying '我在这里的位置是重要的' (Wǒ zài zhèlǐ de wèizhì shì zhòngyào de) is incorrect; it should be '我在这里的位是重要的' to refer to one's position.
Write 位
位
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Practice writing 位 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 位
位 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 7 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.
位 (wèi) and 位置 (wèizhi) both relate to position, but they are used differently. 位 tends to be used more for respectful references to people or as a classifier, while 位置 refers more specifically to a physical location or place. For example, you might use 位置 when talking about the location of a building.
位 (wèi) means position or location in Chinese. It can also refer to a place or a seat, and is used as a classifier for people in a respectful manner. For example, if you're referring to someone in a formal context, you might say '一位老师' (yī wèi lǎoshī) which means 'one teacher'.
位 (wèi) can be used to indicate someone's position or to refer to a seat at a table. For instance, you can say '请坐在这位' (qǐng zuò zài zhè wèi) which means 'please sit here'. Additionally, when referring to people respectfully, you can say '他是一位医生' (tā shì yī wèi yīshēng) meaning 'he is a doctor'.
You can say '他是经理，职位很高' (Tā shì jīnglǐ, zhíwèi hěn gāo), meaning 'He is a manager, and his position is very high.'
It's better to use 位 in formal situations; in casual conversation, you might just refer to a person's role or title without the honorific.
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