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March 24, 2026
腼(靦)miǎn(mian3)
腼 (miǎn) refers to a sense of modesty or bashfulness, often used to describe someone who is shy or hesitant to speak or act. This character is frequently used in contexts where humility or reserve is appreciated, particularly in social interactions.
Strokes13Radical⺼Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, modesty is highly valued, and expressing one's achievements openly is often frowned upon. The character 腼 embodies this cultural trait, as it highlights the importance of humility in social contexts.
Memory Tip
Imagine a shy person with a 'mien' (like 'miǎn') who feels bashful, their cheeks flushed. The character 腼 contains the radical '肉' (meaning meat) which can symbolize vulnerability, suggesting that being modest often feels like exposing one's soft side.
Meanings of 腼
miǎn(mian3)
1modest, bashful
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 腼
腼Simplified
靦Traditional
13Strokes
⺼Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 腼
Podcast: 腼
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AI Study Notes for 腼
Quick Contrast
腼 (miǎn) vs 羞 (xiū) — use 腼 for a more gentle, reserved modesty, while 羞 emphasizes a stronger sense of shame or embarrassment.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a shy person with a 'mien' (like 'miǎn') who feels bashful, their cheeks flushed. The character 腼 contains the radical '肉' (meaning meat) which can symbolize vulnerability, suggesting that being modest often feels like exposing one's soft side.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 腼 with similar-sounding characters like 免 (miǎn), which means 'to exempt.' 腼 is typically used in more formal or literary contexts, so be cautious with its usage in casual conversations. Remember to use it with appropriate adjectives to describe someone's demeanor.
HSK Study Tips
While 腼 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to HSK Level 5 words like 谦虚 (qiān xū, modest) and 害羞 (hài xiū, shy). Focus on the emotional connotations of the word as they relate to social interactions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, modesty is highly valued, and expressing one's achievements openly is often frowned upon. The character 腼 embodies this cultural trait, as it highlights the importance of humility in social contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 腼 with 免 (miǎn), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我腼工作' (I am exempt from work) should be corrected to '我免工作' (I am exempt from work).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 腼
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Grammar Patterns of 腼
腼 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
很多人认为是他的____腆和缺乏安全感拖了他的后腿。
Many believe it was his shyness and insecurity which let him down.
Example Sentences for 腼 (4)
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1
很多人认为是他的腼腆和缺乏安全感拖了他的后腿。
hěn duō rén rèn wéi shì tā de miǎn tiǎn hé quē fá ān quán gǎn tuō le tā de hòu tuǐ。
Many believe it was his shyness and insecurity which let him down.
2
这孩子腼腆,不爱叫人.
zhè hái zǐ miǎn tiǎn, , bù ài jiào.
The child is shy and doesn't like to greet people.
3
话少而又腼腆的男子
huà shǎo ér yòu miǎn tiǎn de nán zǐ
a quiet, retiring man
4
博比望着她腼腆地咧嘴一笑。
bó bǐ wàng zháo tā miǎn tiǎn dì liě zuǐ yī xiào。
Bobby looked at her with a sheepish grin.
Cultural Notes for 腼
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, modesty is highly valued, and expressing one's achievements openly is often frowned upon. The character 腼 embodies this cultural trait, as it highlights the importance of humility in social contexts.
Word Family of 腼
Words Containing This Character2
腼腆shy靦腆
腼miǎnbashful靦
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 腼腆 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 腼
Synonyms include 害羞 (hài xiū, shy) and 谦虚 (qiān xū, modest).
Yes, 腼 can describe a person's bashful demeanor, often in social situations.
Yes, 腼 is often used in formal or literary contexts to convey modesty.
