Meanings of 癩
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About 癩
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Podcast: 癩
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AI Study Notes for 癩
This term is typically used in medical or descriptive contexts rather than in casual conversation. Be cautious with its connotation, as using it to describe something as 'shoddy' can come off as quite harsh or negative. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words that do not have medical implications.
Though 癩 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your grasp of more complex medical terms. Focus on the radicals and components to see how they connect to other words related to health and skin.
Learners often confuse 癩 with the similar-sounding 来 (lái), which means 'to come.' For example, saying '我有癩' (wǒ yǒu lái) to mean 'I have come' is incorrect; instead, it should be '我来了' (wǒ lái le).
Pronunciation of 癩
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Etymology of 癩
Phonosemantic compound. 疒 represents the meaning and 赖 represents the sound. Simplified form of 癩.
sickness
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 癩
Phonosemantic compound. 疒 represents the meaning and 赖 represents the sound. Simplified form of 癩.
- 1The meaning half疒 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half賴 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaysickness
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 癩? 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
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Decomposition of 癩
Identify the Components
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How to say leprosy; scabies, mange; shoddy in Chinese
“leprosy; scabies, mange; shoddy” in Chinese is癩
The character 癩 (lài) refers to leprosy, a chronic infectious disease that affects the skin, nerves, and mucous membranes. It can also denote scabies or mange, indicating a broader context of skin-related afflictions. Additionally, it is used metaphorically to describe something shoddy or inferior.
When to use 癩
This term is typically used in medical or descriptive contexts rather than in casual conversation. Be cautious with its connotation, as using it to describe something as 'shoddy' can come off as quite harsh or negative. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words that do not have medical implications.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 癩 with the similar-sounding 来 (lái), which means 'to come.' For example, saying '我有癩' (wǒ yǒu lái) to mean 'I have come' is incorrect; instead, it should be '我来了' (wǒ lái le).
Write 癩
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Practice writing 癩 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 癩
Compound Meaning
What does 癞蛤蟆 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 癩
癩 can refer to medical conditions like leprosy and scabies, as well as metaphorically to describe something of poor quality.
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