unknown, 14 strokes, radical 钅, rank #19122, Very Hard
měi(mei3) T3
1magnesium
2magnesium (chemistry)
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March 24, 2026
镁(鎂)měi(mei3)
镁 (měi) refers to the chemical element magnesium, which is a silver-white metal commonly used in various industries, including construction and manufacturing. It is essential for biological processes in humans and is a key component in many alloys.
Strokes14Radical钅Frequency#19122DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, magnesium is often discussed in the context of health and nutrition, particularly due to its role in human health and various dietary supplements available in the market.
Memory Tip
Imagine a shiny silver coin (representing magnesium) that is 'me' (sounds like 'měi') and glimmers in the light. The radical 钅 (metal) indicates its nature as a metal, helping you remember both its meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 镁
měi(mei3)
1magnesium
2magnesium (chemistry)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 镁
镁Simplified
鎂Traditional
14Strokes
钅Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 镁
Podcast: 镁
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AI Study Notes for 镁
Usage Notes
While discussing chemistry, 镁 is often used in both formal and informal contexts. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding elements; pay attention to context to avoid this. It often collocates with terms like '合金' (alloy) and '化合物' (compound).
HSK Study Tips
Although 镁 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it can connect with HSK 4 and 5 words related to science and health. Students should focus on its usage in scientific contexts and familiarize themselves with other chemical elements.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly write 镁 as '美' (měi), which means beautiful. Remember that 镁 specifically refers to magnesium, while 美 refers to aesthetics.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 镁
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Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 美 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鎂.
1The meaning half钅 carries the sense.
2The sound half美 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaymetal
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 镁? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
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Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 镁?
Decomposition of 镁
IDS Structure⿰钅美
镁Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
美Mei3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 镁?
How to say magnesium in Chinese
“magnesium” in Chinese is镁měi
镁 (měi) refers to the chemical element magnesium, which is a silver-white metal commonly used in various industries, including construction and manufacturing. It is essential for biological processes in humans and is a key component in many alloys.
When to use 镁
While discussing chemistry, 镁 is often used in both formal and informal contexts. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding elements; pay attention to context to avoid this. It often collocates with terms like '合金' (alloy) and '化合物' (compound).
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly write 镁 as '美' (měi), which means beautiful. Remember that 镁 specifically refers to magnesium, while 美 refers to aesthetics.
Write 镁
镁
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Practice writing 镁 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 镁
镁 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 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 4
Complete the Sentence
铬铁矿及(或)菱____矿化通常是与蛇绿岩有关.
Chromite and / or magnesite mineralization is usually related to the ophiolites.