final particle which transforms statements into questions that indicate doubt or surprise (Cantonese)
unknown, 9 strokes, radical 口, rank #15533, Hard
miē(mie1) T1
1the bleating of sheep
2final particle which transforms statements into questions that indicate doubt or surprise (Cantonese)
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March 24, 2026
咩miē(mie1)
The character 咩 (miē) primarily represents the sound that sheep make, similar to 'baa' in English. Additionally, in Cantonese, it serves as a final particle that transforms statements into questions, often implying doubt or surprise, adding a conversational nuance.
Strokes9Radical口Frequency#15533DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sheep are often associated with good fortune and are featured in various festivals, making the sound they produce significant in cultural expressions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sheep bleating 'miē' as it stands on a hill. The character 咩 resembles a sheep's face, with the mouth open to make the sound, helping you remember both the sound and the meaning.
Meanings of 咩
miē(mie1)
1the bleating of sheep
2final particle which transforms statements into questions that indicate doubt or surprise (Cantonese)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 咩
咩Simplified
9Strokes
口Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 咩
Podcast: 咩
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AI Study Notes for 咩
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a sheep bleating 'miē' as it stands on a hill. The character 咩 resembles a sheep's face, with the mouth open to make the sound, helping you remember both the sound and the meaning.
Usage Notes
While commonly used in informal contexts, learners should avoid using 咩 in formal writing. In Cantonese, it's often paired with other particles for emphasis, but using it incorrectly can confuse the listener. Pay attention to the tone, as mispronouncing it could lead to misunderstanding.
HSK Study Tips
Though not part of HSK, students at this level should focus on the sound and the context of usage in Cantonese. Connecting it to other animal sounds in Mandarin can help reinforce pronunciation and understanding of onomatopoeia in the language.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sheep are often associated with good fortune and are featured in various festivals, making the sound they produce significant in cultural expressions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 咩 with other animal sounds or use it inappropriately in formal contexts. For example, saying '咩' in a formal meeting is incorrect; instead, use standard Mandarin expressions.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 咩
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Grammar Patterns of 咩
咩 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 3
Complete the Sentence
山坡下面，野山羊____咩地轻声叫着。
From the slope below, the wild goats bleated faintly.
From the slope below, the wild goats bleated faintly.
2
迷路的小羊咩咩的叫.
mí lù de xiǎo yáng miē miē de jiào.
The lost lamb bleated.
Cultural Notes for 咩
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, sheep are often associated with good fortune and are featured in various festivals, making the sound they produce significant in cultural expressions.
Word Family of 咩
Words Containing This Character1
咩miēthe bleating of sheep
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 咩 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 咩
You can use it at the end of a statement to express doubt, e.g., '你真的去吗？咩？' (Are you really going?)
Yes, while it represents a sound in Mandarin, its particle usage is primarily found in Cantonese.
In Mandarin, the sound is often represented as '咩'.
