维
Character Story & Explanation
维 appears frequently in official Chinese discourse: '维护社会秩序' (wéihù shèhuì zhìxù) — 'maintain social order' — is a standard phrase in news reports, legal documents, and public service announcements. It’s also central in the idiom 维护正义 (wéihù zhèngyì, 'uphold justice'), used by courts, media, and NGOs. Historically, 维 appears in classical texts like the *Book of Songs* (Shījīng), where 维 is a grammatical particle—but its modern preservative meaning solidified during the late Qing and Republican eras amid nation-building efforts.
The character’s form evolved from seal script: the left side 纟 clearly derives from 'silk' (indicating binding/continuity), while the right side combines 隹 (a short-tailed bird, here phonetic) and 罒 (a net-like component historically linked to 'control' or 'governance'). No oracle-bone form survives, but its structure reflects governance through careful stewardship—not force, but sustained care.
Hi students! Today we’re learning 维 (wéi), a Level 5 HSK character with 11 strokes and the silk thread radical 纟. Though it looks delicate, it carries strong meaning: 'to preserve', 'to maintain', or 'to uphold'. Think of it like carefully holding onto something valuable—like tradition, peace, or harmony. The radical 纟 hints at connection and continuity, much like threads woven together to keep a fabric intact.
This character rarely stands alone in modern speech—it’s almost always part of compound words. You’ll see it in formal, academic, or official contexts: national unity (维护统一), internet security (网络安全维护), or even math ('dimension' in 维度). Its tone is serious and responsible—not casual like 'keep' in English, but more like 'safeguard with duty'.
Don’t confuse 维 with similar-sounding characters! It’s not about 'only' (唯 wéi) or 'tail' (尾 wěi)—tone and context matter deeply. Practice writing it slowly: start with the three-dot silk radical on the left, then the right side (隹 + 罒 + 市). Remember: each stroke builds stability—just like what 维 itself means!
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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