unknown, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #31424, Very Hard
mǐn(min3) T3
1to press, to smooth; to purse the lips
2purse up (lips)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
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
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 抿
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.
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
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 抿 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 民 represents the sound.
1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
2The sound half民 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayhand
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 抿? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 抿?
Decomposition of 抿
IDS Structure⿰扌民
抿Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
民Min2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 抿?
How to say to press, to smooth; to purse the lips in Chinese
“to press, to smooth; to purse the lips” in Chinese is抿mǐn
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.
When to use 抿
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).
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 抿
抿
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 抿 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
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)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
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.
