Chinese Character: 类
1. Character Basics
Radical: 米 (rice radical)
Stroke Count: 9
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: lèi (Fourth tone)
3. Meaning
Kind; type; category; class; sort; species; like; similar; comparable; resemble; analogous; same sort of; genre
4. Common Words
- 种类 (zhǒnglèi) - type; kind; sort; category
- 分类 (fēnlèi) - to classify; classification; categorization
- 类似 (lèisì) - similar; analogous; like; comparable
- 人类 (rénlèi) - human beings; humanity; mankind
- 类型 (lèixíng) - type; form; genre
- 类别 (lèibié) - category; class; type
- 同类 (tónglèi) - same kind; same type; similar
- 种类繁多 (zhǒnglèi fánduō) - of many kinds; various types
5. Grammar & Usage
"类" is primarily used as a noun, referring to types, categories, or classes. It is also used in compound words to indicate similarity or classification.
Grammar Patterns:
- 种 + 类: 种类 (type; kind)
- 分 + 类: 分类 (to classify)
- 类 + 似: 类似 (similar)
- 名 + 类: 人类 (humanity), 动物类 (animal species)
- 类 + 型/别: 类型 (type), 类别 (category)
- 同/异 + 类: 同类 (same kind), 异类 (different kind)
6. Cultural Background
The character "类" has important cultural significance in Chinese philosophy and science, where it is used to understand relationships between things.
In Chinese philosophy, the concept of "类" (categories) is fundamental to understanding the natural world and human society.
In traditional Chinese medicine, diseases are classified into different "类" (categories) for diagnosis and treatment based on symptoms and patterns.
The character is also used in Chinese literature and art to categorize different styles, genres, or schools of thought.
The idiom "同类相求" (tónglèi xiāngqiú) meaning "similar types seek each other" reflects the Chinese cultural belief in the importance of finding like-minded individuals.
7. Example Sentence
中文: 这些动物属于同一类。
Pinyin: Zhèxiē dòngwù shǔyú tóng yī lèi.
English: These animals belong to the same category.
8. Memory Tips
The character "类" (lèi) consists of two parts:
- The radical "米" (rice radical) on the bottom
- The component "大" on the top
To remember the character, think of it as "classifying or grouping (大) rice grains (米) into types," which relates to its meaning of categories or types.
Practice writing the character following the stroke order to help with memorization.
Associate the character with common words like "种类" (type) and "分类" (to classify) to reinforce its meaning.
Listen to and practice the pronunciation "lèi" to become familiar with its sound.