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榱 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
榱cuīrafterg, 14 strokes, radical 木
榱cuīrafter (classical)unknown, 14 strokes, radical 木
cuī(cui1) T1
  1. 1rafter
  2. 2rafter (classical)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

榱cuī(cui1)

榱 (cuī) refers to a rafter, a structural element that supports the roof of a building. This term is often used in classical Chinese texts and architecture discussions, emphasizing its significance in traditional construction methods.

Strokes14Radical木
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese architecture, rafters like 榱 play a crucial role in the structure and aesthetic of roofs, showcasing the craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'cruise' (sounds like cuī) on a boat with rafters supporting a deck overhead. The character 榱 has a tree radical (木) suggesting its wooden nature, reinforcing the idea of sturdy rafters made from trees.

Meanings of 榱

cuī(cui1)
1rafter
2rafter (classical)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 榱

榱Simplified
14Strokes
木Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 榱

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Podcast: 榱

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AI Study Notes for 榱

Usage Notes

Be aware that 榱 is more commonly used in literary or formal contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Collocations might include phrases related to architecture or construction. Learners should also note the correct pronunciation to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 榱 is not in the HSK vocabulary list, understanding it can enhance your knowledge of architectural terms and classical literature, which often uses such terms. Focus on recognizing the tree radical and associating it with construction-related vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 榱 with similar-sounding words. For example, saying 'cuī' while referring to a different roofing element like 椽 instead of recognizing its specific classical usage. Always check the context to use the correct term.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 榱

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Etymology of 榱

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

wood

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)衰
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 榱

  1. 1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half衰 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaywood
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 榱? 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 榱?

Decomposition of 榱

IDS Structure⿰木衰
榱Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
衰cui1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 榱?

How to say rafter in Chinese

“rafter” in Chinese is榱cuī

榱 (cuī) refers to a rafter, a structural element that supports the roof of a building. This term is often used in classical Chinese texts and architecture discussions, emphasizing its significance in traditional construction methods.

When to use 榱

Be aware that 榱 is more commonly used in literary or formal contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Collocations might include phrases related to architecture or construction. Learners should also note the correct pronunciation to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 榱 with similar-sounding words. For example, saying 'cuī' while referring to a different roofing element like 椽 instead of recognizing its specific classical usage. Always check the context to use the correct term.

Write 榱

榱

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 榱

Words Containing This Character1
榱cuīrafter (classical)
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 榱 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 榱

No, 榱 is more frequently encountered in classical texts or discussions about traditional architecture.

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