Definitions

lěi (noun) rocks piled up; uneven stone surface
lěi (adjective) sincere; open and honest

Etymology

Many rocks  piled up

About

The character (lěi) is an ideogrammatic compound that triples the stone radical. Three identical (stone) characters are arranged in a triangle, one above, two below, forming a stable, pyramid-like pile. This triple repetition intensifies the meaning to a large accumulation of stones, rocky terrain, or a solid heap of boulders. Beyond the literal geological image, is frequently used as an adjective in compound words and given names to describe a person of open, honest, and upright character: someone whose integrity is as firm and transparent as rock, with nothing concealed.

Etymology Hide

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

Example Sentences Hide

在看书。

Zhāng Lěi zài kàn shū.

Zhang Lei is reading a book.

是我的同学。

Lǐ Lěi shì wǒ de tóngxué.

Li Lei is my classmate.

他做事很落。

Tā zuòshì hěn lěiluò.

He does things openly and honestly.

在北京工作。

Lěilěi zài Běijīng gōngzuò.

Leilei works in Beijing.

老师教我们数学。

Wáng Lěi lǎoshī jiāo wǒmen shùxué.

Teacher Wang Lei teaches us mathematics.

虽然张很年轻,但他很落。

Suīrán Zhāng Lěi hěn niánqīng, dàn tā hěn lěiluò.

Although Zhang Lei is very young, he is very open and honest.

遇到困难时,他总是落地面对。

Dāng Lěilěi yù dào kùnnán shí, tā zǒngshì lěiluò de miànduì.

When Leilei encounters difficulties, he always faces them with honesty and candor.

在商业谈判中,落的态度往往能赢得信任。

Zài shāngyè tánpàn zhōng, lěiluò de tàidù wǎngwǎng néng yíngdé xìnrèn.

In business negotiations, an open and honest attitude often wins trust.