unknown, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #61379, Very Hard
湄
méi
edge
unknown, 12 strokes, radical 氵, rank #61379, Very Hard
méi(mei2) T2
1bank, coast, shore
2brink
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March 24, 2026
湄méi(mei2)
The character 湄 (méi) refers to the bank or shore of a river or lake. It implies a boundary or edge, often associated with natural water bodies. This character can also denote the brink of something, indicating a threshold or limit.
Strokes12Radical氵Frequency#61379DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature, rivers and their banks are often symbolic of transitions and journeys, making 湄 a word that carries deeper meanings in poetry and storytelling.
Memory Tip
Imagine standing on the edge of a riverbank, feeling the cool breeze. The character 湄 has a water radical (氵) on the left, reminding you of the water, while the right side looks like a person standing at the edge (未), emphasizing the idea of being on the brink.
Meanings of 湄
méi(mei2)
1bank, coast, shore
2brink
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 湄
湄Simplified
12Strokes
氵Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 湄
Podcast: 湄
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AI Study Notes for 湄
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine standing on the edge of a riverbank, feeling the cool breeze. The character 湄 has a water radical (氵) on the left, reminding you of the water, while the right side looks like a person standing at the edge (未), emphasizing the idea of being on the brink.
Usage Notes
Be mindful that 湄 is more formal and literary compared to the more common 水边 (shuǐ biān) for 'riverbank.' It is often used in poetic or descriptive contexts. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like 美 (měi), which means 'beautiful.'
HSK Study Tips
While 湄 is not an HSK level word, it connects to other water-related vocabulary such as 河 (hé, river) and 湖 (hú, lake) which are useful for HSK learners. Focus on the context in which this character might be used, particularly in literature or geography.
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature, rivers and their banks are often symbolic of transitions and journeys, making 湄 a word that carries deeper meanings in poetry and storytelling.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 湄 with similar characters like 美 (měi) due to their phonetic similarity. Remember, 湄 relates to water banks, while 美 means 'beautiful.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 湄
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Cultural Notes for 湄
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese literature, rivers and their banks are often symbolic of transitions and journeys, making 湄 a word that carries deeper meanings in poetry and storytelling.
Word Family of 湄
Words Containing This Character6
湄公河Mekong River
湄méibrink
湄潭Meitan county in Zun'yi 遵義|遵义[Zūnyì], Guizhou
湄潭县Meitan county in Zun'yi 遵義|遵义[Zūnyì], Guizhou湄潭縣
湄洲岛Meizhou Island (Putian)湄洲島
湄公河三角洲Mekong River delta
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 湄公河 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 湄
While both refer to edges, 湄 specifically denotes water's edge like a riverbank, whereas 岸 refers more broadly to a bank or shore, including land areas.
No, 湄 is more commonly found in literary texts rather than in daily conversations, where simpler terms are preferred.
You can think of 'may' as in 'may I stand at the riverbank,' which sounds similar to 湄 (méi).
