Meanings of 黴
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About 黴
Podcast: 黴
Podcast: 黴
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AI Study Notes for 黴
Learners often confuse 黴 (méi) with similar-sounding words like 美 (měi, beautiful) due to the tonal nature of Mandarin. This term is informal and often used in discussions about food safety. Be mindful of the fourth tone to avoid miscommunication.
Though not part of the official HSK vocabulary, understanding 黴 (méi) can help in discussions about health and environmental issues, linking it to words like 病 (bìng, illness) or 食品 (shípǐn, food). Focus on its context in health-related conversations.
Learners may mistakenly use 黴 (méi) when referring to general bacteria instead of mold specifically. A common error is saying '这食物有黴' (zhè shíwù yǒu méi, 'This food has bacteria'), when it should be '这食物有霉' (zhè shíwù yǒu méi, 'This food has mold').
Pronunciation of 黴
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Etymology of 黴
Phonosemantic compound. 雨 represents the meaning and 每 represents the sound. Simplified form of 黴.
A small 微 black 黑 growth; 微 also provides the pronunciation
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 黴
Phonosemantic compound. 雨 represents the meaning and 每 represents the sound. Simplified form of 黴.
- 1The giveawayA small 微 black 黑 growth; 微 also provides the pronunciation
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 黴? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 黴
Identify the Components
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How to say bacteria, fungi, mold in Chinese
“bacteria, fungi, mold” in Chinese is黴
The character 黴 (méi) refers to mold, fungi, or bacteria, particularly those that can spoil food or grow in damp conditions. It is commonly used in contexts related to health, food safety, and environmental conditions. Understanding this term is essential for discussing issues related to hygiene and spoilage.
When to use 黴
Learners often confuse 黴 (méi) with similar-sounding words like 美 (měi, beautiful) due to the tonal nature of Mandarin. This term is informal and often used in discussions about food safety. Be mindful of the fourth tone to avoid miscommunication.
What learners get wrong
Learners may mistakenly use 黴 (méi) when referring to general bacteria instead of mold specifically. A common error is saying '这食物有黴' (zhè shíwù yǒu méi, 'This food has bacteria'), when it should be '这食物有霉' (zhè shíwù yǒu méi, 'This food has mold').
Write 黴
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Practice writing 黴 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 黴
Compound Meaning
What does 倒霉 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 黴
Both characters refer to mold, but 黴 (méi) is often used in a broader sense, while 霉 (méi) is more commonly associated with the concept of spoilage.
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