Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
酶 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
酶
méi
enzyme; to ferment
HSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 酉, rank #11547, Very Hard
酶
méi
ferment
HSK 7, unknown, 14 strokes, radical 酉, rank #11547, Very Hard
méi(mei2)mei T2
1enzyme; to ferment
2ferment
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
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#11547DifficultyVery Hard
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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 酶 means.
About 酶
酶Simplified
14Strokes
酉Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 酶
Podcast: 酶
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 酶
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.
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
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 酶 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 酶 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 酶?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 酶 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
酶 = 酉 + 每. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 酶
IDS Structure⿰酉每
酶Full character
=
酉you3
left
每mei3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 酶?
How to say enzyme; to ferment in Chinese
“enzyme; to ferment” in Chinese is酶méi
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.
When to use 酶
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.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 酶
酶
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 酶 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 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
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.
