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March 24, 2026
雷léi(Lei2)
雷 (léi) primarily means 'thunder' and is commonly used in meteorological contexts or to describe loud noises. It can also refer to the surname 'Lei' and is metaphorically used in internet slang to denote something that is 'terrifying' or 'terrific', often in a dramatic or exaggerated manner.
Strokes13Radical雨Frequency#1047DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture,雷 (thunder) is often associated with powerful natural forces and is featured in various myths and legends, symbolizing strength and unpredictability. Additionally, thunderstorms are culturally significant, often linked to agricultural cycles.
Memory Tip
Imagine a loud '雷' (léi) crash of thunder that shakes the ground. The character has a radical that resembles a lightning bolt, which you can visualize striking down, linking the sound to the image of thunder. Remember: '雷' sounds like 'lay', and when thunder strikes, it can make you lay flat in surprise!
Meanings of 雷
léi(Lei2)
1thunder
2mine (weapon)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 雷
雷Simplified
13Strokes
雨Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1047Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 雷
Podcast: 雷
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AI Study Notes for 雷
Quick Contrast
霹雳 (pīlì) - use 雷 (léi) for general thunder, while 霹雳 (pīlì) specifically refers to a sudden, sharp thunderclap.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a loud '雷' (léi) crash of thunder that shakes the ground. The character has a radical that resembles a lightning bolt, which you can visualize striking down, linking the sound to the image of thunder. Remember: '雷' sounds like 'lay', and when thunder strikes, it can make you lay flat in surprise!
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing '雷' as it is third tone (léi). This word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, but be careful not to confuse it with other similar sounding words. Common collocations include '雷声' (thunder sound) and '雷电' (thunder and lightning).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, '雷' connects with other weather-related vocabulary and can help learners expand their knowledge of natural phenomena. Students should focus on using it in context, especially in describing weather conditions or metaphorical expressions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture,雷 (thunder) is often associated with powerful natural forces and is featured in various myths and legends, symbolizing strength and unpredictability. Additionally, thunderstorms are culturally significant, often linked to agricultural cycles.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '雷' with '来' (lái), which means 'to come'. For example, a common mistake is saying '雷来' instead of '来雷', which would incorrectly imply 'thunder comes' instead of the correct usage focusing on the phenomenon itself.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 雷
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Grammar Patterns of 雷
雷 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 6 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.
It could engage the enemy beyond the range of hostile torpedoes.
10
格雷姆·内史密斯创作了这张专辑十首歌中的两首。
gé léi mǔ· · nèi shǐ mì sī chuàng zuò le zhè zhāng zhuān jí shí shǒu gē zhōng de liǎng。
Graeme Naysmith has produced two of the ten tracks on this album.
Cultural Notes for 雷
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture,雷 (thunder) is often associated with powerful natural forces and is featured in various myths and legends, symbolizing strength and unpredictability. Additionally, thunderstorms are culturally significant, often linked to agricultural cycles.
Word Family of 雷
Compounds9
蕾lei3bud
擂lei2to rub, to grind; to use a mortar and pestle
镭lei2radium
檑lei2a log trap used to defend a city
礌
癗
鐳
靐
鱩
Words Containing This Character20
雷léithunder
雷达léidáradar (loanword)雷達
雷锋Lei Feng (1940-1962), made into a model of altruism and dedication to the Party by propaganda from 1963 onwards雷鋒
地雷landmine
雷诺Reynolds (name)雷諾
雷电thunder and lightning雷電
雷雨thunderstorm
鱼雷torpedo魚雷
雷鸣thunder rolls雷鳴
格雷Grey
手雷grenade
雷同léitóngidentical
雷霆sound of thunder
雷管fuse
迅雷thunderbolt
雷阵雨thunder shower雷陣雨
雷击thunderbolt雷擊
雷蒙德Raymond (name)
大发雷霆to be furious大發雷霆
雷克斯Rex (name)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 蕾 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 雷
Common phrases that include 雷 are '雷声' (léishēng), meaning 'the sound of thunder,' and '雷电' (léidiàn), which means 'thunder and lightning.' These phrases are often used in weather-related discussions in Chinese.
Yes, 雷 (Léi) is a relatively common surname in China. It is often found in various regions and can be associated with many notable individuals in history and contemporary society.
雷 (léi) means 'thunder' in Chinese and can also refer to a surname. In modern contexts, it may be used in internet slang to describe something that is terrifying or terrific. The character appears in various expressions related to weather and sound.
雷 can be used in sentences to describe weather phenomena, such as '今天有雷雨' (Jīntiān yǒu léiyǔ), meaning 'There is a thunderstorm today.' It can also be used metaphorically, for example, '他的表现真雷人' (Tā de biǎoxiàn zhēn léirén), which translates to 'His performance is really terrific/terrifying.'
'雷' can be used in a sentence such as '我听到雷声' (Wǒ tīngdào léi shēng) meaning 'I hear thunder'.
Yes, in internet slang '雷' can mean something is 'terrifying' or 'terrific', often conveying a dramatic reaction.
