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禰 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
one's deceased fatherzg, 18 strokes, radical 礻, Very Hard
(mi2) T2
  1. 1one's deceased father
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March 24, 2026
(mi2)

The character 禰 (mí) refers specifically to 'one's deceased father' in a formal and respectful context. It is often used in literary or historical texts, particularly in discussions about ancestry, genealogy, or in mourning practices. Its usage is fairly rare in modern conversations and is more likely encountered in writing.

Strokes18RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, honoring ancestors is a significant practice, and the use of specific terms like 禰 reflects the importance placed on familial connections and respect for the deceased. This character may appear in traditional ceremonies or writings about family heritage.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'me' (mí) standing in front of a shrine, paying respects to their deceased father. The character 禰 includes the radical 禾 (grain), which symbolizes growth and lineage, linking it to family and ancestry.

Meanings of 禰

(mi2)
1one's deceased father
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 禰

Simplified
18Strokes
Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 禰

JasonAmy

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AI Study Notes for 禰

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'me' (mí) standing in front of a shrine, paying respects to their deceased father. The character 禰 includes the radical 禾 (grain), which symbolizes growth and lineage, linking it to family and ancestry.

Usage Notes

Learners might confuse 禰 with similar characters related to family. It is important to note that this term is quite formal and may not be suitable for everyday conversation. Common collocations include phrases related to mourning or discussing family lineage, such as '祭奠禰' (to pay respects to one's deceased father).

HSK Study Tips

While 禰 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding its meaning can enhance cultural knowledge, especially when studying texts related to family and respect. Focus on recognizing this character in context rather than using it actively in conversation.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, honoring ancestors is a significant practice, and the use of specific terms like 禰 reflects the importance placed on familial connections and respect for the deceased. This character may appear in traditional ceremonies or writings about family heritage.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 禰 with 你 (nǐ) meaning 'you', leading to misunderstandings in context. Always ensure to use 禰 specifically when discussing a deceased father to avoid confusion.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 禰

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Etymology of 禰

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

spirit

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 禰?

Decomposition of 禰

IDS Structure⿰礻爾
Full Character
=
shi4
left
er3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 禰?

Write 禰

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Cultural Notes for 禰

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, honoring ancestors is a significant practice, and the use of specific terms like 禰 reflects the importance placed on familial connections and respect for the deceased. This character may appear in traditional ceremonies or writings about family heritage.

Word Family of 禰

Words Containing This Character1
surname Mi
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 祢 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 禰

No, 禰 is rarely used in everyday conversation and is primarily found in literary or historical contexts.