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March 24, 2026
糜méi(mei2)
The character 糜 (méi) primarily refers to rice gruel or congee, which is a common staple dish in Chinese cuisine. It can also mean something that is mashed or rotten, conveying a sense of wastefulness, particularly in relation to food or resources. In a different context, 糜 can be a surname, often transliterated as 'Mi'.
Strokes17Radical米Frequency#28239DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
糜 is often mentioned in historical texts and literature, particularly in the context of food scarcity or waste, reflecting the importance of rice in Chinese culture. Understanding this character can provide insights into traditional dining practices and the value placed on food.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bowl of congee (rice gruel) that has gone bad, turning into a mushy, unappetizing mess. The character 糜 looks like a bowl (the top part) overflowing with this unappealing gruel, reminding you of the meaning 'rotten' or 'to waste'. The pronunciation 'méi' can be remembered by thinking of 'may' – a month that might bring spoiled food if not stored properly.
Meanings of 糜
méi(mei2)
primary
1rice gruel, congee; mashed
2millet
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 糜
糜Simplified
17Strokes
米Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 糜
Podcast: 糜
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AI Study Notes for 糜
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 糜 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings, such as 美 (měi, beautiful). This word is generally used in informal contexts when discussing food but can appear in literature or historical texts in a more formal register. Pay attention to the tone; using the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
Although 糜 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 4 words related to food and waste, such as 餐 (cān, meal) and 浪费 (làngfèi, to waste). Students should focus on recognizing the character in context and understanding its various meanings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 糜 with 美 (měi) due to the similar pronunciation. To correct this, remember that 糜 relates to food and waste, while 美 is about beauty.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 糜
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Etymology of 糜
Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声å—)~80-90% of characters
Explanation
Phonosemantic compound. 米 represents the meaning and 麻 represents the sound.
糜 = 米 + 麻. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 糜
IDS Structure⿸麻米
糜Full Character
=
麻ma2
enclosing
米Mi3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 糜?
How to say rice gruel, congee; mashed in Chinese
“rice gruel, congee; mashed” in Chinese is糜mí
The character 糜 (méi) primarily refers to rice gruel or congee, which is a common staple dish in Chinese cuisine. It can also mean something that is mashed or rotten, conveying a sense of wastefulness, particularly in relation to food or resources. In a different context, 糜 can be a surname, often transliterated as 'Mi'.
When to use 糜
Common mistakes include confusing 糜 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings, such as 美 (měi, beautiful). This word is generally used in informal contexts when discussing food but can appear in literature or historical texts in a more formal register. Pay attention to the tone; using the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 糜 with 美 (měi) due to the similar pronunciation. To correct this, remember that 糜 relates to food and waste, while 美 is about beauty.
Write 糜
糜
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Word Family of 糜
Words Containing This Character7
糜méirotten
糜烂dissipated糜爛
肉糜minced meat
奢糜extravagant
糜费to waste糜費
侈糜wasteful
乳糜泻celiac disease乳糜瀉
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 糜
What does 糜烂 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 糜
糜 can mean rice gruel, something mashed, or rotten food. It can also refer to a surname.
Yes, it may come up in discussions about food, but it's more common in historical or literary contexts.
Think of 'may', as in 'may I have some congee?' to connect the sound to its meaning.
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