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奶粉 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
奶粉nǎifěnpowdered milkHSK 6, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #22980, Hard
nǎifěn(nai3fen3)nai fen T3
  1. 1powdered milk
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March 24, 2026

奶粉nǎifěn(nai3fen3)

奶粉 (nǎi fěn) refers to powdered milk, a dairy product created by evaporating milk to dryness. It is commonly used in cooking, baking, and as a formula for infants, making it a staple in many households, especially where fresh milk is not readily available.

Strokes15Frequency#22980DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In China,奶粉 has become increasingly important due to the rising trend of using formula for infants, reflecting changing attitudes towards parenting and health. This shift has historical roots in urbanization and modernization.

Memory Tip

Imagine a baby (奶, nǎi) drinking from a bottle filled with fluffy powder (粉, fěn). The character 奶 resembles a baby’s face, while 粉 looks like a pile of powdered milk. Together, they create a vivid image of powdered milk for babies.

Meanings of 奶粉

nǎifěn(nai3fen3)
1powdered milk
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About 奶粉

奶粉Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 奶粉

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Podcast: 奶粉

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AI Study Notes for 奶粉

Quick Contrast

奶粉 (nǎifěn) vs 牛奶粉 (niú nǎi fěn) — choose 奶粉 when referring to general powdered milk, while 牛奶粉 specifically emphasizes cow's milk powder.

Usage Notes

奶粉 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in discussions about nutrition or cooking. Be careful with the tones; using the wrong tone can change the meaning. Common collocations include 婴儿奶粉 (infant formula) and 牛奶粉 (milk powder).

HSK Study Tips

While 奶粉 is not at a specific HSK level, it connects well with HSK 2 vocabulary related to food and daily life. Students should focus on the components of the characters and their context in discussions about nutrition.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 奶粉 with 牛奶 (fresh milk), thinking they are interchangeable. Remember, 奶粉 specifically means powdered milk, while 牛奶 refers to liquid milk.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 奶粉

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Component Characters

奶nǎibreast
HSK 15 strokes女
View full entry
粉fěnpowder
HSK 610 strokes米
View full entry

How to say powdered milk in Chinese

“powdered milk” in Chinese is奶粉nǎifěn

奶粉 (nǎi fěn) refers to powdered milk, a dairy product created by evaporating milk to dryness. It is commonly used in cooking, baking, and as a formula for infants, making it a staple in many households, especially where fresh milk is not readily available.

When to use 奶粉

奶粉 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in discussions about nutrition or cooking. Be careful with the tones; using the wrong tone can change the meaning. Common collocations include 婴儿奶粉 (infant formula) and 牛奶粉 (milk powder).

奶粉 or something close to it

奶粉 (nǎifěn) vs 牛奶粉 (niú nǎi fěn) — choose 奶粉 when referring to general powdered milk, while 牛奶粉 specifically emphasizes cow's milk powder.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 奶粉 with 牛奶 (fresh milk), thinking they are interchangeable. Remember, 奶粉 specifically means powdered milk, while 牛奶 refers to liquid milk.

Write 奶粉

奶
粉

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Cultural Notes for 奶粉

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

The concept of powdered milk is common in both Chinese and Western cultures, but its usage in infant formula is often more prevalent in China due to societal norms around child-rearing.

Frequently Asked Questions about 奶粉

奶粉 is dehydrated milk and can be stored for longer periods, while fresh milk is perishable and needs refrigeration.

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