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偎 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
偎wēito cling to, to cuddle, to embrace, to fondlev, 11 strokes, radical 亻, rank #44941, Very Hard
wēi(wei1) T1
  1. 1to cling to, to cuddle, to embrace, to fondle
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March 24, 2026

偎wēi(wei1)

The character 偎 (wēi) means to cling to or cuddle closely with someone or something, often conveying a sense of warmth and affection. It is commonly used in romantic or familial contexts to express physical closeness. The nuance suggests a gentle, protective embrace rather than a forceful grip.

Strokes11Radical亻Frequency#44941DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, physical expressions of affection, such as cuddling, are often more subtle and reserved compared to Western cultures. The concept of 偎 reflects the value placed on close familial and romantic bonds in everyday life.

Memory Tip

Imagine a cozy scene where two people are cuddling on a couch, leaning into each other for warmth. The character 偎 has the radical '亻' (person) on the left, which reminds you that it involves people, while '韦' (wéi) sounds like 'way', suggesting a way to stay close or cuddle.

Meanings of 偎

wēi(wei1)
1to cling to, to cuddle, to embrace, to fondle
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 偎

偎Simplified
11Strokes
亻Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 偎

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Podcast: 偎

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AI Study Notes for 偎

Quick Contrast

依偎 (yīwēi) vs 偎 (wēi): 依偎 implies a more reciprocal action of leaning against someone for comfort, while 偎 emphasizes the act of clinging or cuddling closely.

Usage Notes

Be cautious about the context in which you use 偎, as it is more affectionate and intimate, typically reserved for close relationships. Common collocations include '偎依' (wēiyī) meaning to snuggle closely. Ensure you use the correct tone; mispronouncing it could change its meaning.

HSK Study Tips

While 偎 is not currently at an HSK level, it connects to higher-level vocabulary related to emotions and relationships. Students should focus on understanding its usage in literature or poetry where themes of intimacy are common.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 偎 with similar characters like 瞎 (xiā), which means blind, due to similar pronunciation. Another common mistake is using it in formal contexts, where a word like 拥抱 (yōngbào, to hug) would be more appropriate.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 偎

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Etymology of 偎

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

To cling to someone 亻 in fear 畏; 畏 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 偎?

Decomposition of 偎

IDS Structure⿰亻畏
偎Full Character
=
亻ren2
left
畏wei4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 偎?

How to say to cling to, to cuddle, to embrace, to fondle in Chinese

“to cling to, to cuddle, to embrace, to fondle” in Chinese is偎wēi

The character 偎 (wēi) means to cling to or cuddle closely with someone or something, often conveying a sense of warmth and affection. It is commonly used in romantic or familial contexts to express physical closeness. The nuance suggests a gentle, protective embrace rather than a forceful grip.

When to use 偎

Be cautious about the context in which you use 偎, as it is more affectionate and intimate, typically reserved for close relationships. Common collocations include '偎依' (wēiyī) meaning to snuggle closely. Ensure you use the correct tone; mispronouncing it could change its meaning.

偎 or something close to it

依偎 (yīwēi) vs 偎 (wēi): 依偎 implies a more reciprocal action of leaning against someone for comfort, while 偎 emphasizes the act of clinging or cuddling closely.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 偎 with similar characters like 瞎 (xiā), which means blind, due to similar pronunciation. Another common mistake is using it in formal contexts, where a word like 拥抱 (yōngbào, to hug) would be more appropriate.

Write 偎

偎

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

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Grammar Patterns of 偎

偎 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. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

他们两个孤苦无依的人就那么互相依____着。

They just clung to each other like two lost souls.

Example Sentences for 偎 (7)

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1
他们两个孤苦无依的人就那么互相依偎着。

tā mén liǎng gè gū kǔ wú yī de rén jiù nà mó hù xiāng yī wēi zháo。

They just clung to each other like two lost souls.
2
然后我们就回家,依偎在一起看电视。

rán hòu wǒ mén jiù huí jiā, , yī wēi zài yī qǐ kàn diàn。

Then we'd go home and cuddle up together to watch TV.
3
小狗跑过来,依偎在我身边。

xiǎo gǒu pǎo guò lái, , yī wēi zài wǒ shēn。

The dog came and nuzzled up against me.
4
她偎着他,紧紧抱着, 濡湿的面颊贴到了他的脸上.

tā wēi zháo tā, , jǐn jǐn bào, zháo , rú shī de miàn jiá tiē dào le tā de.

She clung to him, hugging him hard , her wet check to his.
5
他拥抱着她,她则依偎在他的怀里。

tā yōng bào zháo tā, , tā zé yī wēi zài tā de huái。

He hugged her and she nestled against his chest.
6
笨笨的相爱, 呆呆的过日子, 拙拙的依偎, 傻傻的在一起.

bèn bèn de xiāng ài, , dāi dāi de guò rì, zǐ , zhuō zhuō de, yī wēi , shǎ shǎ de.

In love stupidly, live simply , snuggle clumsily, be together silly.
7
苍白,不配给你当偎依的 枕头 ./走吧! 尽把它踏在脚下,作垫石.

cāng bái, , bù pèi gěi nǐ dāng wēi yī de./ zhěn tóu! ./ zǒu bā ! jìn bǎ tā, tà zài jiǎo.

Go further! let It'serve to trample on.

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Word Family of 偎

Words Containing This Character3
依偎to nestle against
偎wēito cuddle
偎傍to snuggle up to
Exercise 1 of 2

Words with 偎

What does 依偎 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 偎

While it can technically be used for friends, it is more commonly reserved for romantic partners or close family members due to its intimate connotation.

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