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苗 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
苗miáoHmong or Miao ethnic group of southwest ChinaHSK 7, n, 8 strokes, radical 艹, rank #16504, Hard
苗miáosurname MiaoHSK 7, n, 8 strokes, radical 艹, rank #16504, Hard
苗miáosproutHSK 7, n, 8 strokes, radical 艹, rank #16504, Hard
苗miáosprouts; Miao nationalityHSK 7, n, 8 strokes, radical 艹, rank #16504, Hard
miáo(Miao2) T2
  1. 1Hmong or Miao ethnic group of southwest China
  2. 2sprout
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
苗miáo(Miao2)

The character 苗 (miáo) refers to sprouts or seedlings, often used in agricultural contexts. It also denotes the Miao ethnic group, a prominent cultural community in southwest China, known for their rich traditions and vibrant clothing. The term can refer to both the biological concept of young plants and the cultural identity of the Miao people.

Strokes8Radical艹Frequency#16504DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

The Miao people have a significant cultural presence in China, particularly known for their intricate silver jewelry and traditional festivals. Understanding the term 苗 deepens appreciation for the diversity within Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a small sprout (苗) pushing through the soil, reaching for the sun. The character looks like a sprout with its two leafy components at the top. The pronunciation 'miáo' sounds like 'meow', picturing a cat curiously observing the sprout's growth.

Meanings of 苗

miáo(Miao2)
1Hmong or Miao ethnic group of southwest China
2sprout
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 苗

苗Simplified
8Strokes
艹Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#16504Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 苗

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Podcast: 苗

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AI Study Notes for 苗

Quick Contrast

苗 (miáo) vs 幼 (yòu) — use 苗 for young plants or seedlings specifically, while 幼 refers more broadly to young or immature beings.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a small sprout (苗) pushing through the soil, reaching for the sun. The character looks like a sprout with its two leafy components at the top. The pronunciation 'miáo' sounds like 'meow', picturing a cat curiously observing the sprout's growth.

Usage Notes

When using 苗 in conversation, be mindful of the context to avoid confusion between its agricultural and ethnic meanings. It's commonly used in both formal and informal settings, but make sure to clarify if discussing the Miao people or plant sprouts. Note that the fourth tone (miáo) is crucial to distinguish it from similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 苗 is not an HSK level word, it relates to vocabulary around agriculture and cultural identity, which may appear in higher-level contexts. Students should focus on its dual meanings and practice using it in sentences about both plants and ethnic groups.

Cultural Note

The Miao people have a significant cultural presence in China, particularly known for their intricate silver jewelry and traditional festivals. Understanding the term 苗 deepens appreciation for the diversity within Chinese culture.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 苗 with similar-sounding characters. For instance, using 'miǎo' (third tone) instead of 'miáo' (second tone) can lead to misunderstandings. Always ensure the correct tone is used for clarity.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 苗

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Etymology of 苗

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Sprouts are plants (艹) that rise from the field (田).

Memory Hint

Grass 艹 growing in a field 田

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 苗?

Decomposition of 苗

IDS Structure⿱艹田
苗Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
田Tian2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 苗?

Write 苗

苗

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

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Grammar Patterns of 苗

苗 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

这位大人凝视的目光离开火____，与上校的目光相遇。

The Monsignor turned his gaze from the flames to meet the Colonel's.

Example Sentences for 苗 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这位大人凝视的目光离开火苗，与上校的目光相遇。

zhè wèi dà rén níng shì de mù guāng lí kāi huǒ miáo， ， yǔ shàng xiào de mù guāng xiāng。

The Monsignor turned his gaze from the flames to meet the Colonel's.
2
在我看来，要拥有完美身材就要非常苗条。

zài wǒ kàn lái， ， yào yōng yǒu wán měi shēn cái jiù yào fēi cháng miáo。

My idea of physical perfection is to be very slender.
3
珍妮非常漂亮，身材苗条，有一双蓝色的眼睛。

zhēn nī fēi cháng piāo liàng， ， shēn cái miáo， tiáo ， yǒu yī shuāng lán sè de。

Jean is pretty, of slim build, with blue eyes.
4
司机是个大约30岁的身材苗条的年轻女子。

sī jī shì gè dà yuē30 30 suì de shēn cái miáo tiáo de nián qīng nǚ。

The driver was a trim young woman of perhaps thirty.
5
原来的锅炉开始往外喷火苗后他便换了个新的。

yuán lái de guō lú kāi shǐ wǎng wài pēn huǒ miáo hòu tā biàn huàn le gè xīn de。

He replaced the boiler when the last one began to spout flames.
6
可以采取疫苗接种和其他预防措施。

kě yǐ cǎi qǔ yì miáo jiē zhǒng hé qí tā yù fáng cuò shī。

Vaccination and other prophylactic measures can be carried out.
7
盼望有一天有人会研制出一种能有效预防疟疾的疫苗。

pàn wàng yǒu yī tiān yǒu rén huì yán zhì chū yī zhǒng néng yǒu xiào yù fáng nüè jí de yì miáo。

Roll on the day someone develops an effective vaccine against malaria.
8
如果不多加注意，你就会失去女孩般的苗条身段。

rú guǒ bù duō jiā zhù yì， ， nǐ jiù huì shī qù nǚ hái bān de miáo tiáo shēn。

You'll lose your girlish figure if you don't watch out.
9
我正在把那些小嫩苗分装进有分格的盘子里。

wǒ zhèng zài bǎ nà xiē xiǎo nèn miáo fēn zhuāng jìn yǒu fēn gé de pán zǐ lǐ。

I was spacing out the seedlings into divided trays.
10
市海洋与渔业局11日在东澳人工鱼礁区增殖放流36万尾鱼苗.

shì hǎi yáng yǔ yú yè jú11 11 rì zài dōng ào rén gōng yú jiāo qū zēng zhí fàng36 liú 36 wàn wěi.

Title : Zhuhai Ocean and Fisheries Bureau Releases 360,000 Fish Fries.

Cultural Notes for 苗

🏮Cultural insight

The Miao people have a significant cultural presence in China, particularly known for their intricate silver jewelry and traditional festivals. Understanding the term 苗 deepens appreciation for the diversity within Chinese culture.

Word Family of 苗

Compounds12
猫mao1cat
描miao2depict
瞄miao2to aim
锚mao2anchor
喵miao1a cat's meow
貓mao1cat
鹋miao2emu
庿
媌
緢
錨mao2anchor
鶓miao2emu
Words Containing This Character20
疫苗yìmiáovaccine
苗miáosprout
苗条miáotiaoslender苗條
苗头miáotoufirst signs苗頭
火苗flame
幼苗bud
苗族Hmong or Miao ethnic group of southwest China
苗圃seedbed
树苗sapling樹苗
苗子seedling
秧苗seedling
鱼苗fry魚苗
出苗to sprout
苗期(agriculture) seedling stage
苗家Hmong or Miao ethnic group of southwest China
卡介苗BCG vaccine
禾苗hémiáoseedling (of rice or other grain)
豆苗pea shoots
保苗to protect young plants, ensuring that enough survive to produce a good crop
苗床seedbed
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 猫 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 苗

It can mean 'sprout' in agriculture or refer to the Miao ethnic group, highlighting its dual significance.