垒 (lěi) - To build with layers & to pile up

垒Tone 3

lěi ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

俊梁

垒 · lěi

To build with layers;

to pile up;

a fortification;

a base (in baseball);

also refers to rammed earth construction.

To build with layersto pile upa fortification

Usage highlights

FortressBaseTo pile upRampartPile blocksHome base

Synonyms

  • 筑— to build, construct
  • 堆— to pile up, heap

Antonyms

  • 拆— to dismantle, tear down
  • 毁— to destroy, ruin

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • They built a fortress (堡垒) on the hill.
  • The children piled up blocks (垒积木).
  • He slid into home base (本垒).
  • This is an ancient rammed-earth wall (夯土垒成的墙).

Collocations

  • Fortress(堡垒)
  • Base (in baseball)(垒)
  • To pile up(垒起)
  • Rampart(壁垒)
  • Pile blocks(垒积木)
  • Home base(本垒)

Idioms

  • Deep ramparts and high fortifications(深沟高垒)
  • Facing each other across the ramparts(壁垒森严)
  • To build a nest(垒巢)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted piling up earth or stones for construction or defense, as in rammed earth techniques.
  • Used in baseball terminology imported from Japanese, where it also means 'base'.
  • Evokes imagery of solidity, accumulation, and strategic defense.

FAQ