Meanings of 免
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About 免
Podcast: 免
Podcast: 免
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AI Study Notes for 免
免 (miǎn) vs 逃 (táo) — choose 免 when emphasizing exemption from a duty, while 逃 focuses on escaping from a situation.
Imagine a person wearing a '免' (miǎn) badge that grants them freedom from chores. The character looks like a person waving goodbye to work, symbolizing the act of being excused or exempted from responsibilities. The pronunciation 'miǎn' sounds like 'mean', as in being mean to yourself if you don’t take a break!
Be careful not to confuse 免 with similar-sounding characters. It's commonly used in formal contexts, especially in legal or official situations. A common collocation is 免除 (miǎnchú), meaning 'to exempt', which is often used in discussions about taxes or duties.
Although 免 is not an HSK level word, it connects well with other verbs related to obligation, like 必须 (bìxū - must) and 允许 (yǔnxǔ - to allow). Focus on the contexts where you can use 免 to indicate exemption or avoidance, as it will enhance your ability to discuss obligations.
In Chinese culture, the concept of being exempted from duties can be tied to traditional values of family and community, where individuals may be excused from work for family obligations or during festivals, reflecting the importance of collective well-being.
Learners often confuse 免 (miǎn) with 免去 (miǎnqù), which also means 'to exempt but implies removal from a position'. For example, saying '我免去这个工作' (Wǒ miǎnqù zhège gōngzuò) instead of the correct '我被免去这个工作' (Wǒ bèi miǎnqù zhège gōngzuò) can lead to misunderstandings.
Pronunciation of 免
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Etymology of 免
Pictograph of a person with a hat, now written as 冕. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.
Decomposition of 免
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 免?
Write 免
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Practice writing 免 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 免
免 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 10 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.
Complete the Sentence
这个电影是____费的，不看白不看。
This movie is free — might as well watch it!
Common Confusions with 免
Similar in shape but different in meaning.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to excuse sb"?
Example Sentences for 免 (10)
Cultural Notes for 免
'免' can also refer to the concept of 'freedom from', which is an important idea in Chinese philosophy, emphasizing liberation from burdens or unnecessary duties.
In Chinese culture, the concept of being exempted from duties can be tied to traditional values of family and community, where individuals may be excused from work for family obligations or during festivals, reflecting the importance of collective well-being.
There's a saying in Chinese: '免则无害', meaning 'to avoid is to be free from harm', which underscores the importance of evading troubles.
Word Family of 免
Compound Meaning
What does 晚 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 免
While 免 (miǎn) means to excuse or exempt, 避免 (bìmiǎn) specifically means to avoid or prevent something from happening. For example, you can say '避免错误' (bìmiǎn cuòwù) to mean 'avoid mistakes,' whereas '免除责任' (miǎnchú zérèn) means 'exempt from responsibility.' Understanding this distinction can help you use these terms appropriately.