类 (lèi) - category, type, kind & similar, resembling

类Tone 4

lèi ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

俊梁

类 · lèi

category, type, kind;

similar, resembling;

to classify

category, type, kindsimilar, resemblingto classify

Usage highlights

categoryclassificationsimilartypehumantypical

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 异— different, unusual
  • 别— separate, distinct

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This type of book is very popular (这类书很受欢迎).
  • They look very similar (他们长得很类似).
  • We need to classify these documents (我们需要把这些文件分类).
  • This is a typical example (这是一个典型的例子).

Collocations

  • category(类别)
  • classification(分类)
  • similar(类似)
  • type(类型)
  • human(人类)
  • typical(典型)

Idioms

  • To draw analogies(触类旁通)
  • To classify and summarize(分门别类)
  • Birds of a feather flock together(物以类聚)
  • Not resembling human form(不伦不类)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese philosophy, classification (类) is fundamental to understanding relationships between things.
  • The concept appears in ancient texts like the Book of Changes (易经) discussing categorical thinking.
  • Modern usage extends to scientific classification systems and social categories.

FAQ