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March 24, 2026
糜méi(mei2)
The character 糜 (méi) primarily refers to rice gruel or congee, which is a common staple dish in Chinese cuisine. It can also mean something that is mashed or rotten, conveying a sense of wastefulness, particularly in relation to food or resources. In a different context, 糜 can be a surname, often transliterated as 'Mi'.
Strokes17Radical米Frequency#28239DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
糜 is often mentioned in historical texts and literature, particularly in the context of food scarcity or waste, reflecting the importance of rice in Chinese culture. Understanding this character can provide insights into traditional dining practices and the value placed on food.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bowl of congee (rice gruel) that has gone bad, turning into a mushy, unappetizing mess. The character 糜 looks like a bowl (the top part) overflowing with this unappealing gruel, reminding you of the meaning 'rotten' or 'to waste'. The pronunciation 'méi' can be remembered by thinking of 'may' – a month that might bring spoiled food if not stored properly.
Meanings of 糜
méi(mei2)
primary
1rice gruel, congee; mashed
2millet
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 糜
糜Simplified
17Strokes
米Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 糜
Podcast: 糜
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AI Study Notes for 糜
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 糜 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings, such as 美 (měi, beautiful). This word is generally used in informal contexts when discussing food but can appear in literature or historical texts in a more formal register. Pay attention to the tone; using the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
Although 糜 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 4 words related to food and waste, such as 餐 (cān, meal) and 浪费 (làngfèi, to waste). Students should focus on recognizing the character in context and understanding its various meanings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 糜 with 美 (měi) due to the similar pronunciation. To correct this, remember that 糜 relates to food and waste, while 美 is about beauty.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 糜
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Phonosemantic compound. 米 represents the meaning and 麻 represents the sound.
1The meaning half米 carries the sense.
2The sound half麻 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayrice
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 糜? 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 糜?
Decomposition of 糜
IDS Structure⿸麻米
糜Full Character
=
麻ma2
enclosing
米Mi3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 糜?
How to say rice gruel, congee; mashed in Chinese
“rice gruel, congee; mashed” in Chinese is糜mí
The character 糜 (méi) primarily refers to rice gruel or congee, which is a common staple dish in Chinese cuisine. It can also mean something that is mashed or rotten, conveying a sense of wastefulness, particularly in relation to food or resources. In a different context, 糜 can be a surname, often transliterated as 'Mi'.
When to use 糜
Common mistakes include confusing 糜 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings, such as 美 (měi, beautiful). This word is generally used in informal contexts when discussing food but can appear in literature or historical texts in a more formal register. Pay attention to the tone; using the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 糜 with 美 (měi) due to the similar pronunciation. To correct this, remember that 糜 relates to food and waste, while 美 is about beauty.
Write 糜
糜
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Practice writing 糜 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Word Family of 糜
Words Containing This Character7
糜méirotten
糜烂dissipated糜爛
肉糜minced meat
奢糜extravagant
糜费to waste糜費
侈糜wasteful
乳糜泻celiac disease乳糜瀉
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 糜 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 糜
糜 can mean rice gruel, something mashed, or rotten food. It can also refer to a surname.
Yes, it may come up in discussions about food, but it's more common in historical or literary contexts.
Think of 'may', as in 'may I have some congee?' to connect the sound to its meaning.
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