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緲 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
緲miǎodim, indistinct; distant; minutezg, 15 strokes, radical 糹
miǎo(miao3)miao T3
  1. 1dim, indistinct; distant; minute
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March 24, 2026

緲miǎo(miao3)

The character 緲 (miǎo) describes something that is dim, indistinct, or difficult to perceive. It can refer to both physical dimness, such as low visibility, and abstract notions like vague or minute details. This word is often used in literary contexts to convey a sense of distance or elusiveness.

Strokes15Radical糹
Cultural Note

In Chinese poetry, the use of dim or indistinct imagery often evokes feelings of nostalgia or longing, reflecting the cultural appreciation for subtlety and depth in expression.

Memory Tip

Imagine a faint mist (the character's form suggests threads or lines) that makes everything appear dim and indistinct. Think of the mist as 'miǎo' separating you from a distant landscape, making it hard to see details clearly.

Meanings of 緲

miǎo(miao3)
1dim, indistinct; distant; minute
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 緲 means.

About 緲

緲Simplified
15Strokes
糹Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 緲

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Podcast: 緲

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AI Study Notes for 緲

Quick Contrast

模糊 (móhú) — use 緲 (miǎo) for a more literary or abstract sense of indistinctness, while 模糊 (móhú) is more commonly used for general blurriness.

Usage Notes

This character is typically used in a more literary or poetic register, rather than in everyday conversation. Common collocations may include contexts involving vision or perception, so be careful not to confuse it with similar words like 模糊 (móhu) which means blurry.

HSK Study Tips

While 緲 is not part of the official HSK list, its components and meaning can help reinforce understanding of other similar words. Focus on contextual usage, especially in literary texts, to see how it functions alongside more common adjectives.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 緲 with similar-sounding words like 妙 (miào), which means wonderful or clever. For example, using 妙 when describing a dim light would be incorrect; use 緲 instead.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 緲

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Etymology of 緲

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

A veil 糹 over the eyes 眇; 眇 also provides the pronunciation

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

Origin

What kind of character is 緲?

Decomposition of 緲

IDS Structure⿰糹眇
緲Full Character
=
糹si1
left
眇miao3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 緲?

How to say dim, indistinct; distant; minute in Chinese

“dim, indistinct; distant; minute” in Chinese is緲miǎo

The character 緲 (miǎo) describes something that is dim, indistinct, or difficult to perceive. It can refer to both physical dimness, such as low visibility, and abstract notions like vague or minute details. This word is often used in literary contexts to convey a sense of distance or elusiveness.

When to use 緲

This character is typically used in a more literary or poetic register, rather than in everyday conversation. Common collocations may include contexts involving vision or perception, so be careful not to confuse it with similar words like 模糊 (móhu) which means blurry.

緲 or something close to it

模糊 (móhú) — use 緲 (miǎo) for a more literary or abstract sense of indistinctness, while 模糊 (móhú) is more commonly used for general blurriness.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 緲 with similar-sounding words like 妙 (miào), which means wonderful or clever. For example, using 妙 when describing a dim light would be incorrect; use 緲 instead.

Write 緲

緲

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

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Word Family of 緲

Words Containing This Character3
缥缈as in a mist縹緲
虚无缥缈unreal虛無縹緲
缈miǎoindistinct緲
Exercise 1 of 3

Words with 緲

What does 缥缈 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 緲

It is pronounced as 'miǎo', with the third tone.

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