Meanings of 滅
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About 滅
Podcast: 滅
Podcast: 滅
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AI Study Notes for 滅
灭 (miè) vs 消 (xiāo): choose 滅 (miè) when emphasizing complete extinguishment or eradication, while 消 (xiāo) often implies a gradual reduction or disappearance.
滅 is primarily used in written Chinese and can sound formal in conversation. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding characters like '灭' (the simplified form), which has the same meaning but is more common in everyday use. Be careful with the tones; 'miè' is pronounced with a falling tone, which can sometimes be confused with the rising tone of 'mié.'
滅 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, but understanding it can enhance your comprehension of more complex phrases. Students should focus on the context in which 滅 is used, particularly in literature and formal writing, to connect it with other HSK vocabulary related to destruction or termination.
Learners often confuse 滅 with 滅火 (mièhuǒ), which means 'to extinguish fire,' thinking they can use 滅 alone in all contexts. Remember to pair it correctly with relevant nouns to convey complete meaning.
Pronunciation of 滅
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Etymology of 滅
Simplified form of 滅. Depicts water (氵) being used to extinguish a fire (火). 戌 is a sound component. The traditional component 氵 was removed for simplification.
To extinguish a flame 烕 with water 氵; 烕 also provides the pronunciation
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 滅
Simplified form of 滅. Depicts water (氵) being used to extinguish a fire (火). 戌 is a sound component. The traditional component 氵 was removed for simplification.
- 1The giveawayTo extinguish a flame 烕 with water 氵; 烕 also provides the pronunciation
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 滅? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 滅
Identify the Components
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How to say to extinguish; to wipe out in Chinese
“to extinguish; to wipe out” in Chinese is滅
The character 滅 (miè) means 'to extinguish' or 'to wipe out.' It is commonly used in contexts involving the cessation of fire, life, or existence, such as in phrases related to extinguishing flames or eradicating problems. The nuance suggests a complete and thorough action, often with a sense of finality.
When to use 滅
滅 is primarily used in written Chinese and can sound formal in conversation. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding characters like '灭' (the simplified form), which has the same meaning but is more common in everyday use. Be careful with the tones; 'miè' is pronounced with a falling tone, which can sometimes be confused with the rising tone of 'mié.'
滅 or something close to it
灭 (miè) vs 消 (xiāo): choose 滅 (miè) when emphasizing complete extinguishment or eradication, while 消 (xiāo) often implies a gradual reduction or disappearance.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 滅 with 滅火 (mièhuǒ), which means 'to extinguish fire,' thinking they can use 滅 alone in all contexts. Remember to pair it correctly with relevant nouns to convey complete meaning.
Write 滅
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Practice writing 滅 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 滅
Compound Meaning
What does 灭 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 滅
滅 is the traditional form, while 灭 is the simplified form, used more commonly in mainland China.
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