Meanings of 歪
By ear
Play it, then pick what 歪 means.
About 歪
Podcast: 歪
Podcast: 歪
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 歪
歪 (wāi) vs 斜 (xié) — use 歪 when emphasizing moral wrongness or deviousness, while 斜 focuses on the angle or slant.
When using 歪, be careful about the context; it's often used in informal settings rather than formal writing. Common collocations include 歪了 (wāi le - to be crooked) and 歪曲 (wāiqū - to distort). Remember that its tone is the first tone; mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other words.
As a HSK Level 5 word, 歪 connects to other words describing direction, position, or moral implications. Focus on using it in sentences that describe objects or concepts that are out of alignment, as well as exploring its figurative meanings.
Learners often confuse 歪 with 正 (zhèng), which means 'straight.' For example, saying '这条路是正的' (zhè tiáo lù shì zhèng de) is correct for 'This road is straight,' but using 歪 incorrectly, like '这条路是歪的' (zhè tiáo lù shì wāi de) would suggest the road is morally wrong, which is not the intended meaning.
Pronunciation of 歪
Drill the tone of 歪 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 歪 to You
Let me explain 歪 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 歪 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 歪?
Learning Lab
Knowing 歪 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.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Etymology of 歪
Not 不 straight 正
Origin
What kind of character is 歪?
Decomposition of 歪
Parts
Which of these is part of 歪?
How to say askew in Chinese
“askew” in Chinese is歪
The character 歪 (wāi) means askew or crooked, often used to describe something that is not straight or aligned properly. It can also imply a sense of deviousness or something that is morally wrong. In informal contexts, it can refer to lying on one's side or getting into an awkward position.
When to use 歪
When using 歪, be careful about the context; it's often used in informal settings rather than formal writing. Common collocations include 歪了 (wāi le - to be crooked) and 歪曲 (wāiqū - to distort). Remember that its tone is the first tone; mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other words.
歪 or something close to it
歪 (wāi) vs 斜 (xié) — use 歪 when emphasizing moral wrongness or deviousness, while 斜 focuses on the angle or slant.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 歪 with 正 (zhèng), which means 'straight.' For example, saying '这条路是正的' (zhè tiáo lù shì zhèng de) is correct for 'This road is straight,' but using 歪 incorrectly, like '这条路是歪的' (zhè tiáo lù shì wāi de) would suggest the road is morally wrong, which is not the intended meaning.
Write 歪
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 歪 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 歪
歪 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
看看这份失实的警方报告吧，它忽略或____曲了关键的事实。
Look at the false police reports that omitted or misstated crucial facts.
Example Sentences for 歪 (10)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 歪?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Word Family of 歪
Words with 歪
What does 歪曲 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 歪
Yes, you can use 歪 to describe someone's behavior or character if you mean they are morally crooked or devious.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 歪?
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.