魁 kuí chief
chief; leader
How to remember 魁: 鬼 ghost + 斗 fight = chief. At the Halloween party, the kid dressed as a ghost wins every pillow fight and is crowned chief.
Component breakdown
魁 = 鬼 ghost + 斗 fight
- 鬼 ghost
- 斗 fight
At the Halloween party, the kid dressed as a ghost wins every pillow fight and is crowned chief.
How it is used
- Means the head/first/chief - 夺魁 (duókuí) to take first place, win the crown; 罪魁祸首 (zuìkuí-huòshǒu) the chief culprit, ringleader.
- Also describes an imposing build: 魁梧 (kuíwú) tall and strapping - 身材魁梧 (shēncái kuíwú) burly, well-built.
- Written/formal register; think 'the top one' or 'big and commanding'.