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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
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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.
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.
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
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Decomposition of 蔑
IDS Structure⿱艹⿱罒戍
蔑Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
罒wang3
top
戍shu4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 3
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 蔑?
How to say to belittle in Chinese
“to belittle” in Chinese is蔑miè
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.
When to use 蔑
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).
蔑 or something close to it
轻视 (qīngshì, to look down on) — use 蔑 when emphasizing disdainful contempt rather than just a lack of respect.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 蔑
蔑
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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)
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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.
