Definition
位 (wèi) is a polite classifier for people, used in formal or respectful contexts (e.g., for teachers, guests). It is more courteous than the neutral 个 (gè) or the formal count 名 (míng). The 'binary digit' sense is a separate technical meaning.
classifier
(classifier, polite) for peoplefor binary digits (bits)
Easily confused
- 拉lālook-aliketo pull, to drag, to draw
- 为wéisound-alike(preposition) as; in the capacity of
- 粒lìlook-alike(classifier) for small round things (pills, bullets, grains, pearls, etc.)
- 为wéisound-aliketo act as, to serve as (in patterns like 以...为..., 称为, 选为)
- 竖shùlook-alike(adjective) vertical, upright
- 为wéisound-alike(preposition) as, in the capacity of
- 喂wèisound-alike(interjection) hey! hello? (used to attract attention or answer a phone call)
- 喂wèisound-alike(interjection) hello? (used to answer the phone)
- 未wèisound-alikenot yet; have not; did not (formal/literary negation placed before a verb)
- 唯wéisound-alikeonly, alone
Examples
- 位。Zhè wèi shì wǒ de lǎoshī.This is my teacher.
- 。Nà wèi tóngxué shì wǒ péngyou.That classmate is my friend.
- 位。Wǒmen bān yǒu wǔ wèi xuéshēng.Our class has five students.
Browse more HSK 2 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.