Learn a Chinese Character - 堆

1. Character Basics

Radical: 土 (Earth radical)

Stroke Count: 11 (Number of strokes: 11)

Structure Analysis: 形声字，从土（土地），隹声（zhuī，表音）。本义指土堆（如"土堆"），现指堆积（如"堆积"）(Phonetic-semantic character: "土" (earth) + "隹" (phonetic). Originally meant "earth mound", now means "accumulate".)

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Duī (First tone)

3. Meaning

Heap; pile; stack; to accumulate; to pile up; to stack; mound; heap of earth.

4. Common Words

• 堆积 (duī jī) Accumulation
• 堆砌 (duī qì) Pile up
• 堆栈 (duī zhàn) Stack
• 堆满 (duī mǎn) Overflowing pile

5. Grammar & Usage

The character 堆 (duī) is used as both a noun and a verb:

• As a noun: Refers to a heap or pile. Example: 土堆 (tǔ duī) - earth mound
• As a verb: To pile up or accumulate. Example: 堆雪人 (duī xuě rén) - to make a snowman
• In compound words: Often combined with other characters. Example: 堆积 (duī jī) - to accumulate
• Figurative usage: Can mean to amass or collect. Example: 堆钱 (duī qián) - to accumulate wealth
• Measure word usage: For piles of certain items. Example: 一堆书 (yī duī shū) - a pile of books

6. Cultural Background

The character 堆 (duī) has cultural significance in China:

• In traditional Chinese agriculture, 堆肥 (duī féi) - composting - has been practiced for thousands of years to improve soil fertility.
• The concept of 堆积如山 (duī jī rú shān) - piles like mountains - is used to describe abundance and prosperity.
• Chinese New Year traditions include 堆旺火 (duī wàng huǒ) - building large bonfires to symbolize burning away bad luck.
• Ancient Chinese architecture often features 土堆 (tǔ duī) - earthen mounds - as part of defensive structures.
• In Chinese art, landscape paintings frequently depict 山堆 (shān duī) - mountain ranges - symbolizing strength and stability.
• Modern Chinese culture still values the concept of saving and accumulating resources, often expressed through phrases involving 堆.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

Combine "土" (earth) + "隹" (bird) → Birds storing seeds in mounds. 组合“土”+“隹”→ 鸟类在土堆储存种子。