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酶 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
酶méienzyme; to fermentHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 酉, rank #11547, Hard
酶méifermentHSK 7, unknown, 14 strokes, radical 酉, rank #11547, Hard
méi(mei2) T2
  1. 1enzyme; to ferment
  2. 2ferment
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March 24, 2026
酶méi(mei2)

酶 (méi) refers to enzymes, which are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms. This term is commonly used in scientific contexts, particularly in biology and chemistry, to discuss processes such as fermentation and metabolism.

Strokes14Radical酉Frequency#11547DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese medicine, the concept of fermentation is important, as it relates to traditional practices like brewing and pickling, which are integral to Chinese cuisine.

Memory Tip

Think of 酶 (méi) as a 'maze' where enzymes navigate to speed up reactions. The '酶' character has the radical for 'liquid' (氵), hinting at its role in biochemical reactions, often involving liquids like water.

Meanings of 酶

méi(mei2)
1enzyme; to ferment
2ferment
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 酶

酶Simplified
14Strokes
酉Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 酶

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Podcast: 酶

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AI Study Notes for 酶

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 酶 (méi) as a 'maze' where enzymes navigate to speed up reactions. The '酶' character has the radical for 'liquid' (氵), hinting at its role in biochemical reactions, often involving liquids like water.

Usage Notes

This term is generally used in formal scientific language. A common mistake is using it incorrectly in everyday conversation, where more general terms like '食物' (food) might be more appropriate. Be careful with the pronunciation, emphasizing the second tone.

HSK Study Tips

While 酶 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can help learners grasp related scientific terms. Focus on the context of biology and chemistry to connect with other vocabulary in these fields at HSK levels 4 and above.

Cultural Note

In Chinese medicine, the concept of fermentation is important, as it relates to traditional practices like brewing and pickling, which are integral to Chinese cuisine.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 酶 with other similar-sounding words. For example, mixing it up with 美 (měi), which means 'beautiful.' The correct usage is crucial in scientific discussions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 酶

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Etymology of 酶

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

Phonosemantic compound. 酉 represents the meaning and 每 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

chemical

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 酶?

Decomposition of 酶

IDS Structure⿰酉每
酶Full Character
=
酉you3
left
每mei3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 酶?

Write 酶

酶

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

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Grammar Patterns of 酶

酶 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 2 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

破坏一种____可能会导致在别处出现异常。

Tampering with a single enzyme can lead to untoward effects elsewhere.

Example Sentences for 酶 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
破坏一种酶可能会导致在别处出现异常。

pò huài yī zhǒng méi kě néng huì dǎo zhì zài bié chǔ chū xiàn yì cháng。

Tampering with a single enzyme can lead to untoward effects elsewhere.
2
这种酶会使啤酒更容易过滤。

zhè zhǒng méi huì shǐ pí jiǔ gēng róng yì guò lǜ。

This enzyme would make the filtration of beer easier.
3
结论: 东菱克栓酶是治疗糖尿病足有效药物.

jié lùn: : dōng líng kè shuān méi shì zhì liáo táng niào bìng zú yǒu xiào yào.

Conclusion: Batroxobin is effective medicine for cure diabetic foot.
4
据说加酶洗衣粉除污更有效.

jù shuō jiā méi xǐ yī fěn chú wū gēng yǒu xiào.

It was said that washing powders containing enzymes remove stains more efficiently.
5
主要成份: 乳木果、海盐、甜杏仁油 、 杏仁颗粒、溶角蛋白酶.

zhǔ yào chéng fèn: : rǔ mù、 guǒ 、、 hǎi yán 、 tián、 xìng rén yóu 、、 xìng rén kē lì 、.

Ingredient: Shea butter, sea salt and sweet almond oil etc.
6
应用免疫组化法分别检测肝组织中细胞色素C和天冬氨酸特异性半胱氨酸蛋白酶-3 ( caspase -3 ) 的表达.

yīng yòng miǎn yì zǔ huà fǎ fēn bié jiǎn cè gān zǔ zhī zhōng xì bāo sè sùC C hé tiān dōng ān suān tè yì xìng bàn guāng ān suān dàn bái-3(caspase-3) méi -3 ( caspase -3 ) de.

Cytochrome C ( CYC ) and caspase - 3 in liver tissues were determined by immuno ( histochemistry. )
7
天冬酰胺酶具有显著的抗肿瘤作用.

tiān dōng xiān àn méi jù yǒu xiǎn zhù de kàng zhǒng liú zuò yòng.

L asparaginase is a very effective anti tumor agent.
8
结论: 重组L天冬酰胺酶具有较好的应用前景.

jié lùn: : zhòngL zǔ L tiān dōng xiān àn méi jù yǒu jiào hǎo de yīng yòng.

Conclusion: The application of recombinant L - asparaginase was promising.
9
方法: 将302位天冬酰胺(Asn302)突变为丙氨酸(Ala302 ),构建非糖基化尿激酶原.

fāng fǎ: :302 jiāng 302 wèi tiān dōng(Asn302) xiān àn (Asn302) tū biàn wéi(Ala302), bǐng ān suān (Ala302 ), gòu jiàn fēi táng jī huà.

Methods: Non - glycosylated pro - urokinase was created by Asn 302 - Ala 302 mutagenesis.
10
被酶作用的分子称为底物.

bèi méi zuò yòng de fēn zǐ chēng wéi dǐ wù.

The molecules thatare acted upon by enzymes are termed substrates.

Cultural Notes for 酶

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese medicine, the concept of fermentation is important, as it relates to traditional practices like brewing and pickling, which are integral to Chinese cuisine.

Word Family of 酶

Words Containing This Character14
酶méienzyme
转氨酶transferase (enzyme)轉氨酶
激酶kinase (biochemistry)
凝血酶thrombin (biochemistry)
淀粉酶amylase澱粉酶
聚合酶polymerase (enzyme)
消化酶digestive enzyme
酯酶esterase, enzyme that breaks up esters by hydrolysis
脱氢酶dehydrogenase (enzyme)脫氫酶
溶酶体lysosome溶酶體
辅酶coenzyme (chemistry)輔酶
胃蛋白酶pepsin
连接酶ligase連接酶
限制酶restriction enzyme
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 酶 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 酶

It is pronounced as méi, with a rising tone.