纇 (lèi) - Knot in silk & flaw, defect

纇Tone 4

lèi ｜ 21 strokes ｜ radical:

俊梁

纇 · lèi

Knot in silk;

flaw, defect;

blemish;

irregularity;

something that is not smooth or perfect.

Knot in silkflaw, defectblemish

Usage highlights

Knot in silkJade flawWithout blemishCharacter flawSurface irregularitySmall defect

Synonyms

  • 瑕— flaw, defect (especially in jade)
  • 疵— blemish, fault
  • 缺— deficiency, shortcoming

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • There was a knot in the silk thread (丝线有纇).
  • The jade had a small flaw (玉石有纇).
  • His character was without blemish (品行无纇).
  • The surface was irregular (表面有纇).

Collocations

  • Knot in silk(丝纇)
  • Jade flaw(玉纇)
  • Without blemish(无纇)
  • Character flaw(品纇)
  • Surface irregularity(面纇)
  • Small defect(小纇)

Idioms

  • Without flaw or blemish(无纇无瑕)
  • A flawless gem(完美无纇)
  • To find fault with(吹毛求纇)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to knots or imperfections in silk, a highly valued commodity in ancient China.
  • Extended metaphorically to moral or character flaws in Confucian thought.
  • Used in classical texts to discuss the ideal of perfection versus reality.

FAQ