殆
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: dangerous; perilous
💡 Think 'die' (歹) + 'tie' (台): tied to death → dangerous.
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
殆 (dài) means 'dangerous' or 'perilous,' often implying a state close to failure or death. Its radical 歹 (dǎi) signifies 'death' or 'bad,' seen in characters like 死 (sǐ, 'death'). The component 台 (tái) may suggest a phonetic or semantic link to 'platform,' but combined, it evokes the edge of disaster. Used in classical texts like Confucius' Analects, 殆 conveys moral or physical risk.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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