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" originated from its traditional form "纍", a compound character consisting of "糸" for silk threads and "畾" representing multiple layers or accumulations, thus etymologically conveying the idea of binding or piling up. The simplified form "累" retained the "糸" component but reduced "畾" to a single "田", structurally streamlining the character while preserving its associative link to threads and accumulation. Its early meanings centered on entangling or gathering, which gradually extended to include "accumulate" and "involve", and later developed the sense of "tired" through the metaphorical burden of piled-up strain or effort.

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.