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迷信 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
迷信míxìnsuperstitionHSK 7, v, rank #8074, Hard
迷信míxìnto have a superstitious belief (in sth)HSK 7, v, rank #8074, Hard
míxìn(mi2xin4) T2
  1. 1superstition
  2. 2to have a superstitious belief (in sth)
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March 24, 2026
迷信míxìn(mi2xin4)

迷信 (mí xìn) refers to superstition, which is the belief in supernatural influences or the practice of rituals that lack scientific basis. This term is commonly used in contexts discussing cultural beliefs, practices, and the rejection of rational thought, especially when evaluating traditional customs or behaviors in modern society.

Frequency#8074DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, 迷信 is often associated with traditional practices like feng shui or fortune-telling, which are still prevalent in modern society. Many people might consult these practices for guidance in life decisions, highlighting the tension between tradition and modernity.

Memory Tip

Think of 迷 (mí) as 'lost' and 信 (xìn) as 'belief.' Imagine someone 'lost in belief' when they adhere to superstitions. The character 迷 also resembles a maze where one can easily get lost, symbolizing how superstitions can lead people astray.

Meanings of 迷信

míxìn(mi2xin4)
1superstition
2to have a superstitious belief (in sth)
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About 迷信

迷信Simplified
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#8074Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 迷信

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Podcast: 迷信

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AI Study Notes for 迷信

Quick Contrast

迷信 (míxìn) vs 信仰 (xìnyǎng) — use 迷信 for beliefs lacking scientific basis, while 信仰 refers to faith in a religious or spiritual context.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 迷 (mí) as 'lost' and 信 (xìn) as 'belief.' Imagine someone 'lost in belief' when they adhere to superstitions. The character 迷 also resembles a maze where one can easily get lost, symbolizing how superstitions can lead people astray.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 迷信 with similar terms like 信仰 (xìn yǎng, 'faith') or 信念 (xìn niàn, 'belief'), as 迷信 carries a negative connotation. It is often used in informal contexts, and while it can describe personal beliefs, it may also be used critically to describe others' irrational behaviors.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 迷信 connects with themes of cultural beliefs and rationality. Students should focus on using it in discussions about cultural practices, contrasting it with scientific reasoning, and understanding its implications in social contexts.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, 迷信 is often associated with traditional practices like feng shui or fortune-telling, which are still prevalent in modern society. Many people might consult these practices for guidance in life decisions, highlighting the tension between tradition and modernity.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 迷信 to describe general beliefs or faith, which is incorrect. For example, saying '我有迷信的信仰' (Wǒ yǒu mí xìn de xìn yǎng) should be corrected to '我有信仰' (Wǒ yǒu xìn yǎng) to describe having faith.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 迷信

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Component Characters

to bewilder
HSK 59 strokes
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xìnletter
HSK 39 strokes
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Write 迷信

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

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Grammar Patterns of 迷信

迷信 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

旋转木马的幽灵只不过是当地的____说法。

The phantom of the merry-go-round is just a local superstition.

Example Sentences for 迷信 (6)

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1
旋转木马的幽灵只不过是当地的迷信说法。

xuán zhuǎn mù mǎ de yōu líng zhī bù guò shì dāng dì de mí xìn shuō fǎ。

The phantom of the merry-go-round is just a local superstition.
2
琼非常迷信,认为绿色会带来厄运。

qióng fēi cháng mí xìn, , rèn wéi lǜ sè huì dài lái è。

Jean was extremely superstitious and believed the colour green brought bad luck.
3
这都是废话和迷信,不是真的.

zhè dū shì fèi huà hé mí xìn, , bù shì zhēn.

It's all rubbish and superstition, and there's nothing in it.
4
安·布拉德利破除迷信,给出了医学事实。

ān· · bù lā dé lì pò chú mí, xìn , gěi chū le yī xué。

Ann Bradley dispels the old wives' tales and gives the medical facts.
5
认为黑猫不吉祥是一种很普遍的迷信.

rèn wéi hēi māo bù jí xiáng shì yī zhǒng hěn pǔ biàn de mí xìn.

It's a common superstition that black cats are unlucky.
6
她迷信把盐倒翻在桌子上的说法.

tā mí xìn bǎ yán dǎo fān zài zhuō zǐ shàng de shuō fǎ.

She is superstitious about spilling salt on the table.

Cultural Notes for 迷信

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, 迷信 is often associated with traditional practices like feng shui or fortune-telling, which are still prevalent in modern society. Many people might consult these practices for guidance in life decisions, highlighting the tension between tradition and modernity.

Frequently Asked Questions about 迷信

An example of 迷信 is the belief that certain numbers, like 8, bring good fortune, while others, like 4, are considered unlucky.