How to Say
How to Write
léi
Radical: 木 17 strokes
Meaning: logs rolled down in defense of city
💡 Imagine a log with thunder (雷) rolling down a hill—that's 檑.
Compounds

📚 Character Story & Explanation

檑 (léi) meaning in English —

檑 (léi) refers to large logs rolled down from city walls or hillsides to crush attacking enemies in ancient Chinese warfare. It is a specialized term rarely used outside historical or literary contexts. The character combines the wood radical 木 with 雷 (thunder), evoking the thunderous sound of tumbling logs. This defensive tactic parallels the use of boiling oil or hot pitch in medieval European castle defense.

💬 Example Sentences

Common Compounds

Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up

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