HSK 4, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 女, rank #6360, Hard
méi(mei2) T2
1medium
2intermediary
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March 24, 2026
媒méi(mei2)
The character 媒 (méi) refers to a medium or intermediary that facilitates communication or connection between parties. It is commonly used in contexts such as matchmaking in relationships or representing various forms of media, particularly news outlets. The nuance of this character emphasizes the role of a go-between or mediator in different situations.
Strokes12Radical女Frequency#6360DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, matchmakers play a significant role in arranging marriages, reflecting the importance of family and societal connections. The term 媒 is often associated with traditional matchmaking practices, where families seek compatible partners for their children.
Memory Tip
Imagine a matchmaker holding a media microphone, bridging two people together. The left part of 媒 (媒) resembles a woman (女), often associated with matchmaking, while the right part (媒) suggests communication (媒介), helping you remember the pronunciation 'méi' as it sounds like 'mate' in English.
Meanings of 媒
méi(mei2)
1medium
2intermediary
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 媒
媒Simplified
12Strokes
女Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#6360Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4
Podcast: 媒
Podcast: 媒
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AI Study Notes for 媒
Quick Contrast
媒 (méi) vs 介 (jiè) — use 媒 for contexts involving matchmaking or media, while 介 is more about intermediary roles in general contexts.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a matchmaker holding a media microphone, bridging two people together. The left part of 媒 (媒) resembles a woman (女), often associated with matchmaking, while the right part (媒) suggests communication (媒介), helping you remember the pronunciation 'méi' as it sounds like 'mate' in English.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 媒 with similar-sounding characters, so be mindful of context to avoid misunderstandings. This term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings, especially when discussing media or matchmaking. Be cautious with tones; the correct pronunciation is 'méi' (2nd tone).
HSK Study Tips
Although 媒 is not a part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects well with HSK Level 3 words related to media and communication. Focus on its usage in contexts involving media outlets or interpersonal connections as you expand your vocabulary in these areas.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, matchmakers play a significant role in arranging marriages, reflecting the importance of family and societal connections. The term 媒 is often associated with traditional matchmaking practices, where families seek compatible partners for their children.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes mistakenly use 媒 to mean 'media' in a general sense without context, leading to confusion. Instead, use 媒体 (méi tǐ) for a clearer reference to media outlets.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 媒
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Grammar Patterns of 媒
媒 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 7 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
我并不认为他们仅仅是为了吸引____体的目光才把它搞得有声有色的。
I don't think they're just jazzing it up for the media.
Example Sentences for 媒 (10)
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1
我并不认为他们仅仅是为了吸引媒体的目光才把它搞得有声有色的。
wǒ bìng bù rèn wéi tā mén jǐn jǐn shì wéi le xī yǐn méi tǐ de mù guāng cái bǎ tā gǎo dé yǒu shēng yǒu sè de。
I don't think they're just jazzing it up for the media.
2
这张令人难堪的照片是怎么落到媒体手中的？
zhè zhāng líng rén nán kān de zhào piàn shì zěn mó luò dào méi tǐ shǒu zhōng de？
How had this com-promising picture come into the possession of the press?
3
这很可能会演变成媒体的一场闹剧。
zhè hěn kě néng huì yǎn biàn chéng méi tǐ de yī cháng nào jù。
It could well turn into some kind of a media circus.
4
他最初面对媒体时情绪有点忧郁。
tā zuì chū miàn duì méi tǐ shí qíng xù yǒu diǎn yōu yù。
He faced the press, initially, in a somewhat subdued mood.
5
为了摆脱媒体的关注，这对新人在加勒比喜结连理。
wéi le bǎi tuō méi tǐ de guān zhù， ， zhè duì xīn rén zài jiā lè bǐ xǐ jié lián。
The couple married in the Caribbean to avoid a media circus.
6
西班牙媒体昨天仍然在攻击英国媒体。
xī bān yá méi tǐ zuó tiān réng rán zài gōng jī yīng guó méi tǐ。
The Spanish media were still sniping at the British press yesterday.
7
我们从未在音乐媒体获得过好评。
wǒ mén cóng wèi zài yīn lè méi tǐ huò dé guò hǎo píng。
We've never had a good review in the music press.
8
新媒体不可能与旧媒体有质的差别。
xīn méi tǐ bù kě néng yǔ jiù méi tǐ yǒu zhì de chà bié。
The new media are unlikely to prove qualitatively different from the old.
9
布拉特巴克比媒体称赞的要有才华。
bù lā tè bā kè bǐ méi tǐ chēng zàn de yào yǒu cái huá。
Bratbakk had more ability than the media gave him credit for.
Five leading fighter pilots have been captured and paraded before the media.
Cultural Notes for 媒
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, matchmakers play a significant role in arranging marriages, reflecting the importance of family and societal connections. The term 媒 is often associated with traditional matchmaking practices, where families seek compatible partners for their children.
Word Family of 媒
Words Containing This Character17
媒体méitǐmedia, esp. news media媒體
媒méimedium
传媒chuánméimedia傳媒
多媒体duōméitǐmultimedia多媒體
媒介méijièvehicle
媒人go-between
做媒to act as go-between (between prospective marriage partners etc)
媒婆matchmaker
说媒to act as a matchmaker說媒
触媒catalyst觸媒
媒质medium媒質
冷媒refrigerant
明媒正娶to be officially wed
大媒matchmaker
保媒to act as go-between (between prospective marriage partners etc)
媒妁matchmaker
谢媒to thank the matchmaker謝媒
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 媒体 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 媒
媒介 specifically refers to a medium or intermediary in a broader sense, often used in media studies, while 媒 emphasizes the matchmaking aspect.
Yes, 媒 is commonly used to refer to media, especially news media, but it is more specific than the broader term 媒介.
It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of the tone and clarity of your speech.
