Definitions

wēi (noun) osmunda regalis (a fern species)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 薇 is composed of the grass radical 艹 atop the phonetic component 微, indicating its original association with plants. In classical texts such as the Shijing, it referred specifically to a type of fern, often called "common vetch" or "wild pea". Its structure consistently reflects this botanical meaning through the grass radical. Over time, while retaining its original plant meaning in literary contexts, the character also came to be used in personal names, particularly for females, drawing on the connotations of the 微 component which suggests something delicate or small, thus evoking a sense of refinement.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢蔷花。

Wǒ xǐhuān qiángwēi huā.

I like roses.

是我的朋友。

Xiǎo Wēi shì wǒ de péngyǒu.

Xiao Wei is my friend.

在春天开花。

Qiángwēi zài chūntiān kāi huā.

Roses bloom in spring.

她摘了一朵蔷

Tā zhāi le yī duǒ qiángwēi.

She picked a rose.

字常用于女孩名字。

Wēi zì cháng yòng yú nǚhái míngzì.

The character "薇" is often used in girls' names.

这束蔷花非常美丽。

Zhè shù qiángwēi huā fēichāng měilì.

This bouquet of roses is very beautiful.

的香气弥漫在空气中。

Qiángwēi de xiāngqì mímàn zài kōngqì zhōng.

The fragrance of roses permeates the air.

她用心照料花园里的蔷

Tā yòngxīn zhàoliào huāyuán lǐ de qiángwēi.

She carefully tends to the roses in the garden.