How to Write 磊 (lěi) — Meaning “pile of stones / open and upright”

Picture three stones stacked on top of each other, like a small cairn or marker. This visual of three stones (three 石) forms the character 磊 and reminds you it means a pile of stones. The stability of the stack also helps you recall its extended meaning of being open and upright.

Write the top 石 first, then the left-bottom 石, and finally the right-bottom 石. Keep the three parts balanced: the top one is slightly larger and centered, while the two bottom ones are smaller and sit side by side. A common mistake is making all three the same size or misaligning the bottom two.

硼 (péng) has a 石 on the left and 朋 (friend) on the right, and it means the element boron. 碇 (dìng) has a 石 on the left and 定 (fixed) on the right, meaning an anchor stone. In contrast, 磊 contains three 石 stacked, giving it the unique meaning of a pile of stones or an upright character.

磊 is most commonly used in the idiom 光明磊落 (guāng míng lěi luò), which describes someone who is open, frank, and aboveboard. It is not a daily-use character but appears in formal or written Chinese to praise integrity. In Chinese culture, being 光明磊落 is a highly valued moral quality.

Common words containing 磊 include: 磊落 (lěi luò) — open and aboveboard; 光明磊落 (guāng míng lěi luò) — open and aboveboard, frank and righteous; 磊磊 (lěi lěi) — piled up / upright and honest.