位 (wèi) — (classifier, polite) for people; (classifier) for binary digits (bits)
Definition
位 is a polite classifier for people, used to show respect (e.g., 一位老师 'one teacher'). Unlike 口, it is neutral and standard; unlike 名, it works in any context, not just formal counting.
classifier
(classifier, polite) for peoplefor binary digits (bits)
Easily confused
- 拉lālook-aliketo pull, to drag, to draw
- 喂wèisound-alike(interjection) hey! hello? (used to attract attention or answer a phone call)
- 粒lìlook-alike(classifier) for small round things (pills, bullets, grains, pearls, etc.)
- 喂wèisound-alike(interjection) hello? (used to answer the phone)
- 未wèisound-alikenot yet; have not; did not (formal/literary negation placed before a verb)
- 味wèisound-aliketaste, flavor
Examples
- 位。Zhè wèi shì wǒ de lǎo shī.This is my teacher.
- 。Nà wèi tóng xué shì wǒ péng you.That classmate is my friend.
- 位。Wǒ men bān yǒu wǔ wèi xué shēng.Our class has five students.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
位 combines 人 (man), related to people, with 立, which gives the sound. It was often simply written as 立.
Appears in
Browse more HSK 2 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.