Definitions

lèi (adjective) tired; weary; exhausted
lèi (verb) to tire; to wear out
lěi (verb) to accumulate
lěi (verb) to involve; to implicate

Etymology

Simplified form of . is shorthand for the phonetic component . represents the meaning "wind around, bind". The meaning later expanded to "tired".

About

The character 累 is a versatile term with multiple pronunciations, primarily meaning to accumulate, to tie up, or to feel tired. Its modern structure consists of the upper element 田 (field) above the semantic radical 糸 (silk/thread). The traditional form used a more complex upper component of three stacked fields, visually emphasizing the concept of piling up burdens. The silk radical connects the character to the physical action of binding objects, which can create a tangled or restricted situation. This continuous accumulation of burdens or obligations naturally leads to the character’s common modern usage, describing a state of physical exhaustion or mental fatigue.

Etymology Hide

Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我今天真的很

Wǒ jīntiān zhēn de hěn lèi.

I am really tired today.

工作一天很

Gōngzuò yī tiān hěn lèi.

Working for a day is very tiring.

他积了很多经验。

Tā jīlěi le hěn duō jīngyàn.

He has accumulated a lot of experience.

妈妈劳了一天。

Māmā láolèi le yī tiān.

Mom has been tired from a day's work.

虽然但是我很开心。

Suīrán lèi dànshì wǒ hěn kāixīn.

Although tired, I am very happy.

连续加班让我非常

Liánxù jiābān ràng wǒ fēicháng lèi.

Working overtime continuously makes me very tired.

知识需要慢慢积。

Zhīshì xūyào mànman lěijī.

Knowledge needs to be accumulated slowly.

长期的劳会导致健康问题。

Chángqī de láolèi huì dǎozhì jiànkāng wèntí.

Long-term fatigue can lead to health problems.