unknown, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #31424, Very Hard
mǐn(min3) T3
1to press, to smooth; to purse the lips
2purse up (lips)
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March 24, 2026
抿mǐn(min3)
The character 抿 (mǐn) primarily means to press or smooth something out, often referring to actions involving the lips such as pursing them. It can be used in contexts where one is trying to flatten or smooth a surface, or when expressing a thoughtful or contemplative demeanor by pressing the lips together.
Strokes8Radical扌Frequency#31424DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese arts like calligraphy or painting, the concept of smoothing out strokes or lines can be tied to the character 抿, emphasizing precision and control in artistic expression.
Memory Tip
Imagine pressing your lips together tightly to create a smooth, flat surface—this can help you remember that 抿 (mǐn) relates to pressing and smoothing. Think of a 'mint' (pronounced similarly) that you might press between your lips for flavor.
Meanings of 抿
mǐn(min3)
1to press, to smooth; to purse the lips
2purse up (lips)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 抿
抿Simplified
8Strokes
扌Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 抿
Podcast: 抿
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AI Study Notes for 抿
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine pressing your lips together tightly to create a smooth, flat surface—this can help you remember that 抿 (mǐn) relates to pressing and smoothing. Think of a 'mint' (pronounced similarly) that you might press between your lips for flavor.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 抿 with similar-sounding words like 闷 (mèn) which means 'to feel stuffy or bored.' This character is typically used in more formal contexts or literary expressions. Common collocations include 抿嘴 (purse the lips) and 抿平 (to smooth out).
HSK Study Tips
This character does not appear in the HSK vocabulary lists, but it is useful for advanced learners who are exploring nuanced expressions. Focus on recognizing its components and how it can be used in more complex sentences regarding actions and expressions.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese arts like calligraphy or painting, the concept of smoothing out strokes or lines can be tied to the character 抿, emphasizing precision and control in artistic expression.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 抿 with similar characters or mispronounce it. For example, saying 'mèn' instead of 'mǐn' changes the meaning entirely. Always pay attention to the tones and context to avoid misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 抿
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Grammar Patterns of 抿
抿 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
我想____一口茶，可是太烫了。
I tried to sip the tea but it was scalding.
Example Sentences for 抿 (8)
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1
我想抿一口茶，可是太烫了。
wǒ xiǎng mǐn yī kǒu chá， ， kě shì tài tàng。
I tried to sip the tea but it was scalding.
2
她抿了一口水，润一下发干的喉咙。
tā mǐn le yī kǒu shuǐ， ， rùn yī xià fā gān de hóu。
She took a sip of water to moisten her dry throat.
3
她小口地抿着酒。现在一切都变得模糊起来，除了尼克的脸。
tā xiǎo kǒu dì mǐn zháo jiǔ。 。 xiàn zài yī qiē dū biàn dé mó hū qǐ， lái ， chú le ní kè。
She sipped the wine. Everything was hazy now, except for Nick's face.
4
她继续安静地小口抿着加奎宁水的杜松子酒。
tā jì xù ān jìng dì xiǎo kǒu mǐn zháo jiā kuí níng shuǐ de dù sōng zǐ jiǔ。
She carried on serenely sipping her gin and tonic.
Katherine took another sip from her glass to calm herself.
8
但是刘玉英的脸色立即又转为微红, 抿着嘴对韩孟翔笑.
dàn shì liú yù yīng de liǎn sè lì jí yòu zhuǎn wéi wēi hóng, , mǐn zháo zuǐ duì hán mèng xiáng.
Almost immediately, however, her expression returned to normal , and she pursed her lips into a smile.
Cultural Notes for 抿
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese arts like calligraphy or painting, the concept of smoothing out strokes or lines can be tied to the character 抿, emphasizing precision and control in artistic expression.
Word Family of 抿
Words Containing This Character1
抿mǐnto smooth
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 抿 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 抿
You can say '她抿着嘴，思考问题' which means 'She pursed her lips, thinking about the problem.'
It's more commonly found in written language or formal contexts than in casual conversation.
The tone for 抿 is the third tone (mǐn), which can sometimes be tricky to pronounce correctly.
