Meanings of 免
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About 免
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Podcast: 免
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AI Study Notes for 免
免 (miǎn) vs 逃 (táo) — choose 免 when emphasizing exemption from a duty, while 逃 focuses on escaping from a situation.
Be careful not to confuse 免 with similar-sounding characters. It's commonly used in formal contexts, especially in legal or official situations. A common collocation is 免除 (miǎnchú), meaning 'to exempt', which is often used in discussions about taxes or duties.
Although 免 is not an HSK level word, it connects well with other verbs related to obligation, like 必须 (bìxū - must) and 允许 (yǔnxǔ - to allow). Focus on the contexts where you can use 免 to indicate exemption or avoidance, as it will enhance your ability to discuss obligations.
Learners often confuse 免 (miǎn) with 免去 (miǎnqù), which also means 'to exempt but implies removal from a position'. For example, saying '我免去这个工作' (Wǒ miǎnqù zhège gōngzuò) instead of the correct '我被免去这个工作' (Wǒ bèi miǎnqù zhège gōngzuò) can lead to misunderstandings.
Pronunciation of 免
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Jason Explains 免 to You
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Learning Lab
Knowing 免 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Etymology of 免
Pictograph of a person with a hat, now written as 冕. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.
Decomposition of 免
Parts
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How to say to excuse sb in Chinese
“to excuse sb” in Chinese is免
The character 免 (miǎn) primarily means 'to excuse' or 'to exempt'. It is often used in contexts where someone is being released from a duty or obligation, such as being exempt from a task or avoiding certain responsibilities. The nuance can also imply escaping from something undesirable or being dismissed from a position.
When to use 免
Be careful not to confuse 免 with similar-sounding characters. It's commonly used in formal contexts, especially in legal or official situations. A common collocation is 免除 (miǎnchú), meaning 'to exempt', which is often used in discussions about taxes or duties.
免 or something close to it
免 (miǎn) vs 逃 (táo) — choose 免 when emphasizing exemption from a duty, while 逃 focuses on escaping from a situation.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 免 (miǎn) with 免去 (miǎnqù), which also means 'to exempt but implies removal from a position'. For example, saying '我免去这个工作' (Wǒ miǎnqù zhège gōngzuò) instead of the correct '我被免去这个工作' (Wǒ bèi miǎnqù zhège gōngzuò) can lead to misunderstandings.
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Grammar Patterns of 免
免 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 10 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.
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Common Confusions with 免
Similar in shape but different in meaning.
Which one
Which one means “to excuse sb”?
Example Sentences for 免 (10)
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Cultural Notes for 免
'免' can also refer to the concept of 'freedom from', which is an important idea in Chinese philosophy, emphasizing liberation from burdens or unnecessary duties.
There's a saying in Chinese: '免则无害', meaning 'to avoid is to be free from harm', which underscores the importance of evading troubles.
Word Family of 免
Characters with 免
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Frequently Asked Questions about 免
While 免 (miǎn) means to excuse or exempt, 避免 (bìmiǎn) specifically means to avoid or prevent something from happening. For example, you can say '避免错误' (bìmiǎn cuòwù) to mean 'avoid mistakes,' whereas '免除责任' (miǎnchú zérèn) means 'exempt from responsibility.' Understanding this distinction can help you use these terms appropriately.
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