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迷 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
迷míto bewilderHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1863, Hard
迷mícrazy aboutHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1863, Hard
迷mífanHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1863, Hard
迷míenthusiastHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1863, Hard
迷mílostHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1863, Hard
迷míconfusedHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1863, Hard
迷míto bewitch, to charm; a fan of; infatuatedHSK 5, v, 9 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1863, Hard
mí(mi2) T2
  1. 1to bewilder
  2. 2crazy about
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

迷mí(mi2)

The character 迷 (mí) primarily means 'to bewilder' or 'to confuse.' It can also refer to being infatuated or a fan of something, depicting a strong enthusiasm or obsession. This word is commonly used in contexts where one feels lost or captivated by something, such as a hobby or a person.

Strokes9Radical辶Frequency#1863DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In contemporary Chinese culture, being a fan (迷) of celebrities, such as actors or singers, is a common social phenomenon. The term 迷 has become a part of internet slang, often used to describe passionate fandoms around pop culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a maze (迷宫, mígōng) that you can't find your way out of, representing the feeling of being lost or confused. The character 迷 looks like a person wandering around aimlessly, emphasizing the idea of bewilderment, and it sounds like 'me,' as in 'I'm lost!'

Meanings of 迷

mí(mi2)
1to bewilder
2crazy about
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 迷

迷Simplified
9Strokes
辶Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1863Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 迷

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Podcast: 迷

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 迷

Quick Contrast

迷 (mí) vs 陷 (xiàn) — use 迷 for confusion or infatuation, while 陷 indicates being trapped or stuck.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone; 迷 is pronounced with a rising tone (mí) which can be confused with other words if mispronounced. It is often used in informal contexts, especially when referring to fandom or infatuation, such as 迷妹 (mí mèi) for a female fan. Watch out for mixing it up with other similar-sounding characters.

HSK Study Tips

Although 迷 is not an HSK word, it connects with other expressions of emotions and states of being at this level, such as 喜欢 (xǐhuān - to like) and 疯狂 (fēngkuáng - crazy). Focus on using 迷 in different contexts to express enthusiasm and confusion.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 迷 with similar-sounding characters like 美 (měi - beautiful) or 米 (mǐ - rice), leading to misunderstandings. For example, saying '我迷米' (I am confused about rice) instead of '我迷路' (I am lost) can cause confusion.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 迷

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Etymology of 迷

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

Phonosemantic compound. 辶 represents the meaning and 米 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

walk

Semantic (meaning)辶
+
Phonetic (sound)米
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 迷

Phonosemantic compound. 辶 represents the meaning and 米 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half辶 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half米 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaywalk
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 迷? 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 迷?

Decomposition of 迷

IDS Structure⿺辶米
迷Full Character
=
辶chuo4
enclosing
米Mi3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 迷?

How to say to bewilder in Chinese

“to bewilder” in Chinese is迷mí

The character 迷 (mí) primarily means 'to bewilder' or 'to confuse.' It can also refer to being infatuated or a fan of something, depicting a strong enthusiasm or obsession. This word is commonly used in contexts where one feels lost or captivated by something, such as a hobby or a person.

When to use 迷

Be cautious with the tone; 迷 is pronounced with a rising tone (mí) which can be confused with other words if mispronounced. It is often used in informal contexts, especially when referring to fandom or infatuation, such as 迷妹 (mí mèi) for a female fan. Watch out for mixing it up with other similar-sounding characters.

迷 or something close to it

迷 (mí) vs 陷 (xiàn) — use 迷 for confusion or infatuation, while 陷 indicates being trapped or stuck.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 迷 with similar-sounding characters like 美 (měi - beautiful) or 米 (mǐ - rice), leading to misunderstandings. For example, saying '我迷米' (I am confused about rice) instead of '我迷路' (I am lost) can cause confusion.

Write 迷

迷

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 迷

迷 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.

是…的 emphasis是 + [V] + 的
HSK 3

...

他是迷上这个游戏的。

tā shì mí shàng zhège yóuxì de.

He is crazy about this game.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

他完全让这位姑娘____住了。

He was completely captivated by this young lady.

Common Confusions with 迷

迷vs米
mǐ

Similar pronunciation but different meanings.

迷vs谜
mí

Same pronunciation but different meanings.

迷 is more about being lost or a fan, while 迷惑 implies confusion or being puzzled.

1

我对这个问题感到迷惑。

迷 is more about being lost or a fan, while 迷惑 implies confusion or being puzzled.

💡迷 is about being a fan; 迷惑 is about being puzzled.
Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to bewilder"?

or

Usage Notes for 迷

Using 迷 with different contextsCommon Error

When using 迷 to describe being a fan or crazy about something, ensure the context is clear to avoid confusion with being lost.

1

他迷上了这部电影。

He is crazy about this movie.

2

他在森林里迷路了。

He got lost in the forest.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

他____上了这部电影。

He is crazy about this movie.

Example Sentences for 迷 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
她态度有些奇怪,让我迷惑不解。

tā tài dù yǒu xiē qí guài, , ràng wǒ mí huò bù。

There was something strange in her attitude which mystified me.
2
旋转木马的幽灵只不过是当地的迷信说法。

xuán zhuǎn mù mǎ de yōu líng zhī bù guò shì dāng dì de mí xìn shuō fǎ。

The phantom of the merry-go-round is just a local superstition.
3
他们发现了一处迷宫似的地道。

tā mén fā xiàn le yī chǔ mí gōng sì de dì dào。

They found a labyrinth of tunnels under the ground.
4
葡萄酒生产过剩及由此造成的市价低迷引起了经济波动。

pú táo jiǔ shēng chǎn guò shèng jí yóu cǐ zào chéng de shì jià dī mí yǐn qǐ le jīng jì bō dòng。

Overproduction and consequent low market prices for wine caused economic tremors.
5
他们这是在盘剥歌迷,简直是明目张胆的打劫。

tā mén zhè shì zài pán bāo gē mí, , jiǎn zhí shì míng mù zhāng dǎn de dǎ。

They're just ripping the fans off; it's daylight robbery.
6
他认为我很迷人,这真令我感动。

tā rèn wéi wǒ hěn mí rén, , zhè zhēn líng wǒ gǎn。

I was touched to find that he regards me as engaging.
7
性感迷人的沃顿小姐对我羞涩地会心一笑。

xìng gǎn mí rén de wò dùn xiǎo jiě duì wǒ xiū sè dì huì xīn yī xiào。

The luscious Miss Wharton gave me a demure but knowing smile.
8
小时候,他是曼联队的球迷。

xiǎo shí hòu, , tā shì màn lián duì de qiú。

As a boy he was a Manchester United fan.
9
他笑了,笑容古怪迷离,叫我后背发凉。

tā xiào le, , xiào róng gǔ guài mí, lí , jiào wǒ hòu bèi。

He smiled, an odd, dreamy smile that sent chills up my back.
10
他文雅、迷人、能言善辩,是一名优秀的谈判人。

tā wén yǎ、 、 mí、 rén 、 néng yán, shàn biàn , shì yī míng yōu xiù de。

He is polished, charming, articulate and an excellent negotiator.

Cultural Notes for 迷

💡Did you know?

在中国,许多年轻人会追星,成为某个明星的‘迷’。这种现象在社交媒体上非常普遍,粉丝们通过应援活动表达对偶像的支持。

Word Family of 迷

Compounds5
谜mei4see 謎兒
醚mi2ether
謎mi2riddle, puzzle, conundrum
瞇mi1to squint, to narrow the eyes
蒾
Words Containing This Character20
迷mífan
球迷qiúmífan (ball sports)
迷人mírénfascinating
昏迷hūnmístupor
迷路mílùlost
迷失míshīto get lost
歌迷gēmífan of a singer
迷惑míhuòto puzzle
着迷zháomíto be fascinated著迷
迷茫perplexed
迷恋míliànto indulge in迷戀
迷信míxìnsuperstition
低迷dīmílow (spirits)
沉迷chénmíto be engrossed
痴迷chīmíinfatuated
影迷yǐngmímovie fan
迷宫maze迷宮
迷你mini (as in mini-skirt or Mini Cooper) (loanword)
迷糊dazed
迷住to fascinate
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 谜 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 迷

迷 (mí) and 疯 (fēng) both can imply a sense of obsession, but they are used differently. 迷 tends to relate to being a fan or having a strong interest in something, while 疯 implies a craziness that can be negative or uncontrollable. For example, '我迷这个游戏' (I am a fan of this game) versus '他疯了' (He has gone crazy).

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