威

wēi
#622 most
frequent character
power, might, prestige

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

威 shows a kneeling woman 女 beside a battle axe 戌, a sight meant to frighten — so it first meant fear or terror. That grew into 'imposing' or 'ominous', and then into power and strength.

Drawn as: kneeling woman with axe

威 as a component in other characters

sound2 characters
崴葳

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