Meanings of 歪
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About 歪
Podcast: 歪
Podcast: 歪
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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
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Etymology of 歪
Not 不 straight 正
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 歪
- 1The giveawayNot 不 straight 正
- 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 歪? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 歪?
Decomposition of 歪
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component 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
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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.
Complete the Sentence
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)
Word Family of 歪
Compound Meaning
What does 歪 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.
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