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March 24, 2026
缈(緲)miǎo(miao3)
The character 缈 (miǎo) conveys a sense of something being dim, indistinct, or distant. It is often used in literary contexts to describe vague or minute details, creating an ethereal or elusive imagery that can evoke emotions or sensations. This word is less common in everyday conversation but is seen in poetry and descriptions of nature.
Strokes12Radical纟Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry, the concept of indistinctness often reflects philosophical ideas about perception and reality, highlighting the beauty in ambiguity. The use of 缈 can evoke traditional themes in literature where nature is portrayed as mysterious and unattainable.
Memory Tip
Imagine a distant, hazy landscape where everything is blurry and indistinct. The character 缈 has the '绞' (jiǎo) radical, which relates to threads or fibers, suggesting how minute details can sometimes weave together to create a larger picture, yet remain unclear in the distance.
Meanings of 缈
miǎo(miao3)
1dim, indistinct; distant; minute
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 缈
缈Simplified
緲Traditional
12Strokes
纟Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 缈
Podcast: 缈
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AI Study Notes for 缈
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a distant, hazy landscape where everything is blurry and indistinct. The character 缈 has the '绞' (jiǎo) radical, which relates to threads or fibers, suggesting how minute details can sometimes weave together to create a larger picture, yet remain unclear in the distance.
Usage Notes
When using 缈, it is important to consider the context as it is more formal and literary. Common phrases include '缈缈' (miǎo miǎo), which emphasizes the indistinct quality. A frequent mistake is using it in casual contexts where simpler terms like '模糊' (móhú) might be more appropriate.
HSK Study Tips
While 缈 is not present in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to more advanced vocabulary discussing nature and abstract concepts. Students should focus on recognizing its literary use and differentiating it from more common synonyms like '模糊' (móhú).
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry, the concept of indistinctness often reflects philosophical ideas about perception and reality, highlighting the beauty in ambiguity. The use of 缈 can evoke traditional themes in literature where nature is portrayed as mysterious and unattainable.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 缈 with similar sounding words like 妙 (miào), which means wonderful or clever. For example, saying '那个地方很妙' (nàgè dìfāng hěn miào) instead of '那个地方很缈' (nàgè dìfāng hěn miǎo) can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 缈
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Grammar Patterns of 缈
缈 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
kùn nǎo zháo zhè hái zǐ de gǎn qíng nǎi shì yī zhǒng xū wú piǎo miǎo de kǒng bù.
The feeling which beset the child was one of dim uncertain horror.
Cultural Notes for 缈
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese poetry, the concept of indistinctness often reflects philosophical ideas about perception and reality, highlighting the beauty in ambiguity. The use of 缈 can evoke traditional themes in literature where nature is portrayed as mysterious and unattainable.
Word Family of 缈
Words Containing This Character3
缥缈as in a mist縹緲
虚无缥缈unreal虛無縹緲
缈miǎoindistinct緲
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 缥缈 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 缈
Common synonyms include 模糊 (móhú), which means blurry, and 朦胧 (ménglóng), which means dim or hazy.
It's typically used in a more abstract sense, describing feelings or perceptions rather than tangible items.
No, 缈 is more commonly found in literary contexts and is not used in everyday conversation.
