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March 24, 2026
霉méi(mei2)
The character 霉 (méi) refers to mold, mildew, or rot, often associated with the growth of fungi or bacteria in damp environments. It is commonly used in contexts related to food spoilage or health concerns, particularly in humid climates where mold can thrive. In a broader sense, it can convey the idea of something being spoiled or degraded.
Strokes15Radical雨Frequency#7812DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the presence of mold (霉) in food can be a significant concern, especially in traditional practices of food preservation. Understanding this character can provide insight into the cultural attitudes towards food safety and hygiene.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'moldy' piece of bread that has a fuzzy green coating. The character 霉 has a 'rain' radical (雨) on top, suggesting moisture, which is essential for mold growth, while the bottom part (每) can remind you of 'every' instance of mold appearing in damp places.
Meanings of 霉
méi(mei2)
1bacteria
2fungi
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 霉
霉Simplified
15Strokes
雨Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7812Frequency Rank
Podcast: 霉
Podcast: 霉
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AI Study Notes for 霉
Quick Contrast
霉 (mold) vs 腐 (fǔ, rot) — use 霉 for mold specifically related to dampness, while 腐 refers to decay in a broader context.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is to confuse 霉 (méi) with similar-sounding words that have different meanings. This character is more often used in informal contexts related to food and health rather than in formal writing. Be cautious with the tone; using the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings about mold (霉) versus 'every' (每).
HSK Study Tips
Although 霉 is not currently included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is beneficial for learners at the intermediate level (HSK 3-4) to understand its relation to topics about health and food. Students should focus on recognizing the character in context and its usage in discussions about spoilage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 霉 (méi) with 每 (měi), which means 'every.' An example of a mistake would be using 霉 in a context meant for 'every,' such as saying '霉天都要去' (méi tiān dōu yào qù) instead of '每天都要去' (měi tiān dōu yào qù) meaning 'I go every day.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 霉
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Phonosemantic compound. 雨 represents the meaning and 每 represents the sound. Simplified form of 黴.
1The meaning half雨 carries the sense.
2The sound half每 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayrain
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 霉? 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 霉?
Decomposition of 霉
IDS Structure⿱雨每
霉Full Character
=
雨yu3
top
每mei3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 霉?
How to say bacteria in Chinese
“bacteria” in Chinese is霉méi
The character 霉 (méi) refers to mold, mildew, or rot, often associated with the growth of fungi or bacteria in damp environments. It is commonly used in contexts related to food spoilage or health concerns, particularly in humid climates where mold can thrive. In a broader sense, it can convey the idea of something being spoiled or degraded.
When to use 霉
A common mistake is to confuse 霉 (méi) with similar-sounding words that have different meanings. This character is more often used in informal contexts related to food and health rather than in formal writing. Be cautious with the tone; using the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings about mold (霉) versus 'every' (每).
霉 or something close to it
霉 (mold) vs 腐 (fǔ, rot) — use 霉 for mold specifically related to dampness, while 腐 refers to decay in a broader context.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 霉 (méi) with 每 (měi), which means 'every.' An example of a mistake would be using 霉 in a context meant for 'every,' such as saying '霉天都要去' (méi tiān dōu yào qù) instead of '每天都要去' (měi tiān dōu yào qù) meaning 'I go every day.'
Write 霉
霉
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Practice writing 霉 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 霉
霉 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.
