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冪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
冪mìcover-cloth; exponent, powerzg, 16 strokes, radical 冖
mì(mi4) T4
  1. 1cover-cloth; exponent, power
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March 24, 2026

冪mì(mi4)

The character 冪 (mì) refers to the mathematical concept of an exponent or power, commonly used in algebraic expressions to denote the number of times a number is multiplied by itself. It can also refer to a cover or cloth that envelops something, though this usage is less common in everyday language. In mathematical contexts, it signifies growth or scaling.

Strokes16Radical冖
Cultural Note

In Chinese mathematics education, the concept of exponents is foundational, often introduced early in the curriculum and tied to practical applications in science and engineering. The character reflects the importance of mathematical language in academic settings.

Memory Tip

Imagine a giant blanket (cover-cloth) that is so powerful it can double the size of everything it covers. The character 冪 resembles a blanket wrapping around numbers, emphasizing its role in multiplying powers, thus helping you remember both its form and meaning.

Meanings of 冪

mì(mi4)
1cover-cloth; exponent, power
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 冪 means.

About 冪

冪Simplified
16Strokes
冖Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 冪

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Podcast: 冪

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AI Study Notes for 冪

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 冪 with similar characters or terms related to multiplication; it specifically denotes exponents. This term is primarily used in formal or academic contexts, particularly in mathematics. Common collocations include 'a的冪' (the power of a) in mathematical discussions.

HSK Study Tips

Although 冪 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding this term is beneficial for learners who want to explore advanced mathematical language in Chinese. Focus on recognizing it in the context of mathematical expressions and practice forming sentences that use it.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 冪 with other characters related to multiplication, such as 乘 (chéng), which means 'to multiply.' It's important to remember that 冪 specifically refers to exponents. An incorrect example would be saying '3乘以2的冪' instead of '3的冪乘以2' (3 raised to the power of 2).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 冪

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Etymology of 冪

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A cover 冖 cloth 幕; 冖 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 冪?

Decomposition of 冪

IDS Structure⿱冖幕
冪Full Character
=
冖mi4
top
幕mu4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 冪?

How to say cover-cloth; exponent, power in Chinese

“cover-cloth; exponent, power” in Chinese is冪mì

The character 冪 (mì) refers to the mathematical concept of an exponent or power, commonly used in algebraic expressions to denote the number of times a number is multiplied by itself. It can also refer to a cover or cloth that envelops something, though this usage is less common in everyday language. In mathematical contexts, it signifies growth or scaling.

When to use 冪

Be careful not to confuse 冪 with similar characters or terms related to multiplication; it specifically denotes exponents. This term is primarily used in formal or academic contexts, particularly in mathematics. Common collocations include 'a的冪' (the power of a) in mathematical discussions.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 冪 with other characters related to multiplication, such as 乘 (chéng), which means 'to multiply.' It's important to remember that 冪 specifically refers to exponents. An incorrect example would be saying '3乘以2的冪' instead of '3的冪乘以2' (3 raised to the power of 2).

Write 冪

冪

Practice writing 冪 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Ask Jason

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Cultural Notes for 冪

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western mathematics, the term exponent is commonly used, whereas in Chinese, the character 冪 encapsulates this idea, showing how language shapes mathematical concepts differently.

Word Family of 冪

Words Containing This Character3
幂mìpower冪
幂级数power series (math.)冪級數
乘幂to exponentiate (math.)乘冪
Exercise 1 of 3

Characters with 冪

What does 幂 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 冪

In mathematics, 冪 (mì) refers to an exponent or the power to which a number is raised.

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