Definitions

wéi (verb) to maintain; to preserve
wéi (noun) dimension
wéi (noun) vitamin

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "维" derives from its traditional form "維", structurally composed of the silk radical implying threads or connections and the component "隹" which primarily provides phonetic guidance. Its earliest connotations centered on the tangible act of tying or binding, as suggested by the radical, but over time the meaning broadened to abstract notions of maintaining, upholding, or preserving integrity within systems. This semantic extension facilitated its use in classical compounds such as "维系" (to hold together) and later in "思维" (thinking), where it metaphorically represents the linking of ideas. In contemporary language, its conceptual flexibility allowed it to be adopted for translating foreign terms, giving it modern technical senses like "dimension" or "vector", thereby illustrating a gradual shift from physical attachment to abstract relational and quantitative concepts.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

护你的权益。

Qǐng wéihù nǐ de quányì.

Please protect your rights.

我们要持良好的秩序。

Wǒmen yào wéichí liánghǎo de zhìxù.

We need to maintain good order.

这项技术由多位专家共同开发。

Zhè xiàng jìshù yóu duō wèi zhuānjiā gòngtóng kāifā.

This technology was jointly developed by multiple experts.

工程师正在修那台机器。

Gōngchéngshī zhèngzài wéixiū nà tái jīqì.

The engineer is repairing that machine.

他每周都给父母打电话。

Tā měi zhōu dōu gěi fùmǔ dǎ diànhuà.

He calls his parents every week.

度决定认知的深度。

Sīwéi de wéidù juédìng rènzhī de shēndù.

The dimension of thinking determines the depth of cognition.

这个生态系统非常脆弱,需要用心系。

Zhège shēngtài xìtǒng fēicháng cuìruò, xūyào yòngxīn wéixì.

This ecosystem is very fragile and needs to be carefully maintained.

护社会稳定是政府的首要职责之一。

Wéihù shèhuì wěndìng shì zhèngfǔ de shǒuyào zhízé zhī yī.

Maintaining social stability is one of the government's primary responsibilities.