Meanings of 腼
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About 腼
Podcast: 腼
Podcast: 腼
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AI Study Notes for 腼
腼 (miǎn) vs 羞 (xiū) — use 腼 for a more gentle, reserved modesty, while 羞 emphasizes a stronger sense of shame or embarrassment.
Common mistakes include confusing 腼 with similar-sounding characters like 免 (miǎn), which means 'to exempt.' 腼 is typically used in more formal or literary contexts, so be cautious with its usage in casual conversations. Remember to use it with appropriate adjectives to describe someone's demeanor.
While 腼 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to HSK Level 5 words like 谦虚 (qiān xū, modest) and 害羞 (hài xiū, shy). Focus on the emotional connotations of the word as they relate to social interactions.
Learners often confuse 腼 with 免 (miǎn), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我腼工作' (I am exempt from work) should be corrected to '我免工作' (I am exempt from work).
Pronunciation of 腼
Drill the tone of 腼 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 腼
Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 面 represents the sound. Simplified form of 靦.
flesh
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 腼
Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 面 represents the sound. Simplified form of 靦.
- 1The meaning half⺼ carries the sense.
- 2The sound half面 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayflesh
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 腼? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 腼
Identify the Components
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How to say modest, bashful in Chinese
“modest, bashful” in Chinese is腼
腼 (miǎn) refers to a sense of modesty or bashfulness, often used to describe someone who is shy or hesitant to speak or act. This character is frequently used in contexts where humility or reserve is appreciated, particularly in social interactions.
When to use 腼
Common mistakes include confusing 腼 with similar-sounding characters like 免 (miǎn), which means 'to exempt.' 腼 is typically used in more formal or literary contexts, so be cautious with its usage in casual conversations. Remember to use it with appropriate adjectives to describe someone's demeanor.
腼 or something close to it
腼 (miǎn) vs 羞 (xiū) — use 腼 for a more gentle, reserved modesty, while 羞 emphasizes a stronger sense of shame or embarrassment.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 腼 with 免 (miǎn), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我腼工作' (I am exempt from work) should be corrected to '我免工作' (I am exempt from work).
Write 腼
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Practice writing 腼 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 腼
腼 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
很多人认为是他的____腆和缺乏安全感拖了他的后腿。
Many believe it was his shyness and insecurity which let him down.
Example Sentences for 腼 (4)
Word Family of 腼
Compound Meaning
What does 腼腆 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 腼
Synonyms include 害羞 (hài xiū, shy) and 谦虚 (qiān xū, modest).
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