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March 24, 2026
弥(彌)mí(mi2)
The character 弥 (mí) conveys the idea of fullness or completeness. It is often used in contexts where something is brimming or overflowing, suggesting an abundance or an extensive degree. This term can also imply a sense of thoroughness or totality in certain situations.
Strokes8Radical弓Frequency#5974DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of fullness is often associated with prosperity and abundance. For example, during festivals, families aim for abundant meals, highlighting the significance of being 'full' in both a physical and metaphorical sense.
Memory Tip
Think of 弥 as a 'mixture' of fullness and completeness. The left part (弓) resembles a bow, which can be filled with arrows, while the right part (米) symbolizes rice, a staple food that fills our stomachs. Together, they remind us of the fullness of a hearty meal.
Meanings of 弥
mí(mi2)
1full
2to fill
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 弥
弥Simplified
彌Traditional
8Strokes
弓Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5974Frequency Rank
Podcast: 弥
Podcast: 弥
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AI Study Notes for 弥
Quick Contrast
弥 (mí) vs 满 (mǎn) — use 弥 for a more abstract sense of fullness or completeness, while 满 emphasizes physical fullness or being full to capacity.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 弥 with similar-sounding characters. It is primarily used in formal contexts, so be mindful of the setting. Common collocations include 弥补 (mí bǔ - to make up for) and 弥漫 (mí màn - to pervade). Pay attention to the pronunciation to avoid mixing it with other tones.
HSK Study Tips
While 弥 is not part of the official HSK levels, it shares similarities with words at HSK 5 and above that convey depth and fullness, such as 满 (mǎn - full) or 充实 (chōng shí - substantial). Focus on understanding its usage in idiomatic expressions.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 弥 with the character 迷 (mí - to be lost), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我弥路了' (wǒ mí lù le - I filled the road) is incorrect; it should be '我迷路了' (wǒ mí lù le - I got lost).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 弥
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Phonosemantic compound. 弓 represents the meaning and 尔 represents the sound. Simplified form of 彌.
1The meaning half弓 carries the sense.
2The sound half尔 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaybow
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 弥? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 弥?
Decomposition of 弥
IDS Structure⿰弓尔
弥Full Character
=
弓Gong1
left
尔er3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 弥?
How to say full in Chinese
“full” in Chinese is弥mí
The character 弥 (mí) conveys the idea of fullness or completeness. It is often used in contexts where something is brimming or overflowing, suggesting an abundance or an extensive degree. This term can also imply a sense of thoroughness or totality in certain situations.
When to use 弥
Learners often confuse 弥 with similar-sounding characters. It is primarily used in formal contexts, so be mindful of the setting. Common collocations include 弥补 (mí bǔ - to make up for) and 弥漫 (mí màn - to pervade). Pay attention to the pronunciation to avoid mixing it with other tones.
弥 or something close to it
弥 (mí) vs 满 (mǎn) — use 弥 for a more abstract sense of fullness or completeness, while 满 emphasizes physical fullness or being full to capacity.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes confuse 弥 with the character 迷 (mí - to be lost), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我弥路了' (wǒ mí lù le - I filled the road) is incorrect; it should be '我迷路了' (wǒ mí lù le - I got lost).
Write 弥
弥
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Grammar Patterns of 弥
弥 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 6 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
有报道称首都____漫着不满的情绪。
There are reports of widespread dis-content in the capital.
