unknown, 2 strokes, radical 乚, rank #67878, Very Hard
miē(mie1) T1
1to squint
2what? (Cantonese)
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March 24, 2026
乜miē(mie1)
乜 (miē) primarily means 'to squint' or 'to narrow one's eyes'. It is often used in informal contexts, especially in Cantonese, where it can also mean 'what?'. This character is commonly encountered in casual conversations and expressions.
Strokes2Radical乚Frequency#67878DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
乜 is often used in informal settings among friends in Cantonese-speaking regions, reflecting the casual nature of their communication. It showcases how language can be playful and expressive in everyday life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person squinting their eyes to see something unclear. The character 乜 resembles two eyes squinting in a way that mirrors the action of narrowing one’s gaze. Think of 'miē' as 'me squinting' to see something better.
Meanings of 乜
miē(mie1)
1to squint
2what? (Cantonese)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 乜
乜Simplified
2Strokes
乚Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 乜
Podcast: 乜
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AI Study Notes for 乜
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person squinting their eyes to see something unclear. The character 乜 resembles two eyes squinting in a way that mirrors the action of narrowing one’s gaze. Think of 'miē' as 'me squinting' to see something better.
Usage Notes
While 乜 is mainly used in spoken Cantonese, learners should be aware that it is less common in formal written Chinese. Be cautious not to confuse it with other similar-sounding words. The tone is important; ensure to pronounce it as 'miē' with a falling tone.
HSK Study Tips
Though not part of the HSK vocabulary list, understanding 乜 can enhance your comprehension of colloquial Cantonese. Focus on its usage in daily conversations and practice differentiating it from other characters with similar pronunciations.
Cultural Note
乜 is often used in informal settings among friends in Cantonese-speaking regions, reflecting the casual nature of their communication. It showcases how language can be playful and expressive in everyday life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 乜 with similar characters or use it in formal contexts where it is inappropriate. For example, saying '乜是你的名字？' (What is your name?) is incorrect; instead, use a more formal phrase like '你叫什么名字？' (What is your name?).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 乜
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Grammar Patterns of 乜
乜 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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
他____斜着眼睛,撇了撇嘴.
He squinted with his mouth twitched.
Example Sentences for 乜 (10)
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1
他乜斜着眼睛,撇了撇嘴.
tā miē xié zháo yǎn jīng, , piē le piē.
He squinted with his mouth twitched.
2
他乜着眼睛看黑板。
Tā miē zhe yǎnjīng kàn hēibǎn.
He squints at the blackboard.
3
阳光太强，他乜着眼睛走路。
Yángguāng tài qiáng, tā miē zhe yǎnjīng zǒulù.
The sunlight is too strong, he squints while walking.
4
小明乜着眼睛看远处的汽车。
Xiǎo Míng miē zhe yǎnjīng kàn yuǎnchù de qìchē.
Xiao Ming squints to see the car in the distance.
5
她乜着眼睛看手机上的字。
Tā miē zhe yǎnjīng kàn shǒujī shàng de zì.
She squints at the words on the phone.
6
太阳很亮，他乜着眼睛看天。
Tàiyáng hěn liàng, tā miē zhe yǎnjing kàn tiān.
The sun is bright, he squints at the sky.
7
因为风很大，他乜着眼睛看前面。
Yīnwèi fēng hěn dà, tā miē zhe yǎnjing kàn qiánmiàn.
Because the wind is strong, he squints while looking ahead.
8
他乜着眼睛看书，因为灯光太暗。
Tā miē zhe yǎnjīng kàn shū, yīnwèi dēngguāng tài àn.
He squinted at the book because the light was too dim.
9
我乜着眼睛看清早的太阳。
Wǒ miē zhe yǎnjīng kàn qīngzǎo de tàiyáng.
I squinted at the early morning sun.
10
她乜着眼睛看远处的山。
Tā miē zhe yǎnjīng kàn yuǎnchù de shān.
She squinted at the distant mountains.
Cultural Notes for 乜
🏮Cultural insight
乜 is often used in informal settings among friends in Cantonese-speaking regions, reflecting the casual nature of their communication. It showcases how language can be playful and expressive in everyday life.
Word Family of 乜
Words Containing This Character2
乜miēto squint
乜斜to squint
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 乜 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 乜
You can use it to express confusion or ask for clarification, e.g., '乜？' (What?) when you don’t understand.
No, it is primarily a Cantonese term and not commonly used in Mandarin.
The correct pronunciation is with a falling tone, 'miē'.
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