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缅 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
缅miǎndistant, remote; to think ofzg, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #36723, Very Hard
缅miǎnMyanmar (formerly Burma) (abbr. for 緬甸|缅甸[Mian3 dian4])unknown, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #36723, Very Hard
缅miǎndetailedunknown, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #36723, Very Hard
miǎn(Mian3)mian T3
  1. 1distant, remote; to think of
  2. 2Myanmar (formerly Burma) (abbr. for 緬甸|缅甸[Mian3 dian4])
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March 24, 2026

缅(緬)miǎn(Mian3)

The character 缅 (miǎn) primarily conveys the idea of distance or remoteness, often used in contexts referring to Myanmar, abbreviated from 缅甸. It also carries a nuance of nostalgia or memory, as it can imply thinking fondly of something that feels distant or lost.

Strokes12Radical纟Frequency#36723DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

缅 is closely tied to China's historical interactions with Myanmar, particularly in trade and cultural exchange. The character's use in reference to Myanmar reflects the ongoing importance of this neighboring country in China's foreign relations.

Memory tip

Imagine a person reaching out to touch a faraway mountain, representing the distance implied by 缅. The character has a 'silk' radical (丝), which can remind you of the delicate threads of memory connecting you to distant places.

Meanings of 缅

miǎn(Mian3)
1distant, remote; to think of
2Myanmar (formerly Burma) (abbr. for 緬甸|缅甸[Mian3 dian4])
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 缅

缅Simplified
緬Traditional
12Strokes
纟Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 缅

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Podcast: 缅

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AI study notes for 缅

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 缅 with similar-sounding words, which may lead to misunderstandings. It is generally used in formal contexts when referring to Myanmar and is not commonly used in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 缅甸 (Myanmar) and 缅怀 (to remember fondly).

HSK Study Tips

While 缅 is not a standard HSK word, it can be connected to HSK vocabulary related to geography and memory. Students should focus on the context in which it appears and how it relates to other words that express distance or nostalgia.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 缅 with similar-sounding characters like 棉 (cotton), leading to incorrect meanings. Always remember that 缅 relates to distance and Myanmar, not to textiles.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 缅

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Etymology of 缅

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 面 represents the sound. Simplified form of 緬.

Memory hint

thread

Semantic (meaning)纟
+
Phonetic (sound)面
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

缅 = 纟 + 面. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 缅

IDS Structure⿰纟面
缅Full character
=
纟si1
left
面mian4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 缅?

How to say distant, remote; to think of in Chinese

“distant, remote; to think of” in Chinese is缅miǎn

The character 缅 (miǎn) primarily conveys the idea of distance or remoteness, often used in contexts referring to Myanmar, abbreviated from 缅甸. It also carries a nuance of nostalgia or memory, as it can imply thinking fondly of something that feels distant or lost.

When to use 缅

Be careful not to confuse 缅 with similar-sounding words, which may lead to misunderstandings. It is generally used in formal contexts when referring to Myanmar and is not commonly used in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 缅甸 (Myanmar) and 缅怀 (to remember fondly).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 缅 with similar-sounding characters like 棉 (cotton), leading to incorrect meanings. Always remember that 缅 relates to distance and Myanmar, not to textiles.

Write 缅

缅

Practice writing 缅 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 缅

缅 carries 3 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 5

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

今晚一场森林大火正席卷____因州北部的部分地区。

A forest fire is sweeping across portions of north Maine this evening.

Example sentences for 缅 (4)

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1
今晚一场森林大火正席卷缅因州北部的部分地区。

jīn wǎn yī chǎng sēnlín dà huǒ zhèng xí juǎn miǎn yīn zhōu běibù de bùfen dìqū。

A forest fire is sweeping across portions of north Maine this evening.
2
让我们为缅怀他而干杯,好吗?

ràng wǒmen wèi miǎnhuái tā ér gānbēi, hǎoma?

Let's drink to his memory, eh?
3
我去了缅因州找工作。

wǒ qù le miǎn yīn zhōu zhǎo gōngzuò。

I had gone to Maine looking for a place to work.
4
连赤手大盗费恩都在缅怀他从前睡觉的台阶和那些大空桶.

lián chì shǒu dà dào fèi ēn dōu zài miǎnhuái tā cóngqián shuìjiào de táijiē hé nàxiē dà kōng tǒng.

Even Finn the Red - Handed was dreaming of his doorsteps and empty hogsheads.

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Cultural Notes for 缅

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, the concept of nostalgia is often associated with personal memories, while in Chinese culture, it can also encompass historical and cultural connections, making it more communal.

Word Family of 缅

Words containing this character6
缅甸Myanmar (or Burma)緬甸
缅怀miǎnhuáito commemorate緬懷
缅因州Maine, US state緬因州
缅miǎndistant緬
缅因Maine, US state緬因
缅文Burmese (language, esp. written)緬文
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 缅

What does 缅甸 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 缅

In everyday conversation, 缅 is not commonly used; it is mainly used in formal contexts or when referring to Myanmar.

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