Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
蔑miè(mie4)
The character 蔑 (miè) means to belittle or disdain someone or something. It is often used in contexts where someone shows a lack of respect or disregard for others, as well as to convey the idea of treating something as insignificant or unworthy.
Strokes14Radical艹Frequency#31317DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, showing disdain or disrespect can be particularly offensive, as it undermines social harmony and respect for others. The use of 蔑 often suggests a serious breach of etiquette in relationships.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person standing on a pedestal, looking down at others with a disdainful expression. The character 蔑 has the radical '艹' (grass) on top, suggesting something growing or blooming, but the bottom part '滅' (to extinguish) indicates that this growth is being disregarded or belittled.
Meanings of 蔑
miè(mie4)
1to belittle
2nothing
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 蔑
蔑Simplified
14Strokes
艹Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#31317Frequency Rank
Podcast: 蔑
Podcast: 蔑
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 蔑
Quick Contrast
轻视 (qīngshì, to look down on) — use 蔑 when emphasizing disdainful contempt rather than just a lack of respect.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person standing on a pedestal, looking down at others with a disdainful expression. The character 蔑 has the radical '艹' (grass) on top, suggesting something growing or blooming, but the bottom part '滅' (to extinguish) indicates that this growth is being disregarded or belittled.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 蔑 with similar characters that convey different meanings. It is typically used in a formal context, especially in written language. Common collocations include 蔑视 (mièshì, to disdain) and 蔑视之心 (mièshì zhī xīn, a heart of disdain).
HSK Study Tips
Although 蔑 is not included in the HSK list, it connects to higher-level vocabulary related to attitudes and behaviors. Focus on understanding its usage in phrases and recognize its negative connotation in social contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, showing disdain or disrespect can be particularly offensive, as it undermines social harmony and respect for others. The use of 蔑 often suggests a serious breach of etiquette in relationships.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 蔑 with 免 (miǎn, to exempt), leading to incorrect usage in sentences like '我对这个问题蔑' (I disdain this issue) instead of '我对这个问题免'. Always remember that 蔑 carries a negative connotation.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蔑
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 蔑 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 蔑 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 蔑
蔑 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
球员在备战明天的比赛时带着____视对手的情绪。
The players are in defiant mood as they prepare for tomorrow'sgame.
Example Sentences for 蔑 (8)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
球员在备战明天的比赛时带着蔑视对手的情绪。
qiú yuán zài bèi zhàn míng tiān de bǐ sài shí dài zháo miè shì duì shǒu de qíng xù。
The players are in defiant mood as they prepare for tomorrow'sgame.
Christopher'slistening face flamed at the contempt.
3
广播媒体态度轻蔑地故作姿态，要跟新闻媒体保持距离。
guǎng bō méi tǐ tài dù qīng miè dì gù zuò zī tài， ， yào gēn xīn wén méi tǐ bǎo chí jù。
The broadcast media sniffily affects to distance itself from the press.
4
她轻蔑地歪歪嘴.
tā qīng miè dì wāi wāi zuǐ.
She curled her lips in disdain.
5
然而,穆帅蔑视媒体,经常时不时地假装表现出轻蔑.
rán ér, , mù shuài miè shì méi, tǐ , jīng cháng shí bù shí dì jiǎ zhuāng biǎo xiàn chū.
Jos é however treats them with disdain and often thinly disguised contempt.
6
他懒洋洋地躺在扶手椅里,故意摆出一种轻蔑的架势.
tā lǎn yáng yáng dì tǎng zài fú shǒu yǐ lǐ, , gù yì bǎi chū yī zhǒng qīng miè de jià.
He lounged in an armchair in a stance of deliberate contempt.
7
他们以轻蔑的眼光瞪着我.
tā mén yǐ qīng miè de yǎn guāng dèng zháo wǒ.
They glared defiance at me.
8
这位姑娘轻蔑地耸了耸美丽的肩膀.
zhè wèi gū niáng qīng miè dì sǒng le sǒng měi lì de jiān bǎng.
The girl shrugged her pretty shoulders disdainfully.
Cultural Notes for 蔑
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, showing disdain or disrespect can be particularly offensive, as it undermines social harmony and respect for others. The use of 蔑 often suggests a serious breach of etiquette in relationships.
Word Family of 蔑
Compounds12
幭
懱
蠛mie4small fly
櫗
瀎
礣
衊mie4to smear, to slander; to defile
襪wa4socks, stockings
鑖
韈
韤
鱴
Words Containing This Character6
蔑视mièshìto loathe蔑視
轻蔑qīngmièto contempt輕蔑
诬蔑to slander誣衊
污蔑wūmièto slander污衊
蔑miènothing
侮蔑contempt
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 蠛 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 蔑
Common phrases include 蔑视 (mièshì, to disdain) and 蔑视他人 (mièshì tārén, to look down on others).
Yes, 蔑 is more commonly found in written Chinese, especially in formal contexts.
The correct pronunciation is 'miè', with a falling tone.
