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March 24, 2026
魅mèi(mei4)
The character 魅 (mèi) refers to a sense of charm or enchantment. It can denote a magical quality that attracts or captivates others, often associated with supernatural or demonic elements in folklore. Commonly used in contexts related to beauty and allure, it can also imply an enchanting or captivating personality.
Strokes14Radical鬼Frequency#9796DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese folklore, 魅 can refer to spirits or demons that are both alluring and dangerous, often appearing in stories where they seduce or enchant humans. This duality reflects cultural views on beauty and temptation across Chinese literature.
Memory Tip
Imagine a magical forest where a beautiful spirit (the 魅) enchants all who enter. The character has the fish radical 魚 (yú) at the bottom, suggesting a connection to water and mystery, while the top suggests something ethereal. This can help you remember 'charm' as a magical quality that flows like water.
Meanings of 魅
mèi(mei4)
1demon
2magic
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 魅
魅Simplified
14Strokes
鬼Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#9796Frequency Rank
Podcast: 魅
Podcast: 魅
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AI Study Notes for 魅
Quick Contrast
妖 (yāo) — use 魅 (mèi) for charm or enchantment, while 妖 (yāo) emphasizes a supernatural or demonic quality.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a magical forest where a beautiful spirit (the 魅) enchants all who enter. The character has the fish radical 魚 (yú) at the bottom, suggesting a connection to water and mystery, while the top suggests something ethereal. This can help you remember 'charm' as a magical quality that flows like water.
Usage Notes
Learners may confuse 魅 with similar characters like 美 (měi), which means 'beautiful.' 魅 is often used in more poetic or formal contexts, so be cautious with its usage in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 魅力 (mèilì), meaning 'charm' or 'attractiveness.'
HSK Study Tips
While 魅 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it shares common components with words at HSK levels 3-6 that relate to beauty and attraction. Students should focus on recognizing its use in literature and poetry to deepen their understanding of charm and allure.
Cultural Note
In Chinese folklore, 魅 can refer to spirits or demons that are both alluring and dangerous, often appearing in stories where they seduce or enchant humans. This duality reflects cultural views on beauty and temptation across Chinese literature.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 魅 with 美 (měi), which means 'beautiful.' For example, saying '她很魅' (tā hěn mèi) can be incorrect if you mean to say 'She is very beautiful,' as the correct word would be '美.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 魅
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Grammar Patterns of 魅
魅 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
新鲜事物的____力一定让你兴奋不已。
You must be feeling exhilarated by the call of the new.
Common Confusions with 魅
魅vs美
měi
Similar pronunciation and shape, but different meanings.
There was no doubting the animal magnetism of the man.
4
这是一项的确已失去了魅力的游戏。
zhè shì yī xiàng de què yǐ shī qù le mèi lì de yóu xì。
It's a game that has really lost its allure.
5
他长得很帅，也有魅力，总是走好运。
tā cháng dé hěn shuài， ， yě yǒu mèi， lì ， zǒng shì zǒu。
He has good looks and charm, and always falls on his feet.
6
他很有个性魅力——非常风趣。
tā hěn yǒu gè xìng mèi lì—— —— fēi cháng fēng。
He is such a personality— he is so funny.
7
他极富魅力而且非常有幽默感。
tā jí fù mèi lì ér qiě fēi cháng yǒu yōu mò gǎn。
He had enormous charm and a great sense of humour.
8
她是个很有魅力的人。
tā shì gè hěn yǒu mèi lì de rén。
She's a cracker.
9
他混迹于有魅力、有学问或有名气的人当中。
tā hùn jì yú yǒu mèi lì、 、 yǒu xué wèn huò yǒu míng qì de rén dāng。
He surrounds himself with attractive, intelligent, or well-known people.
10
他最具持久魅力的特质就是他那孩子般的天真无邪。
tā zuì jù chí jiǔ mèi lì de tè zhì jiù shì tā nà hái zǐ bān de tiān zhēn wú xié。
His most enduring quality is his childlike innocence.
Cultural Notes for 魅
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese folklore, 魅 can refer to spirits or demons that are both alluring and dangerous, often appearing in stories where they seduce or enchant humans. This duality reflects cultural views on beauty and temptation across Chinese literature.
Word Family of 魅
Words Containing This Character7
魅力mèilìcharm
魅mèidemon
有魅力attractive
鬼魅demon
魅惑to entice
魑魅魍魉demons and monsters (idiom)魑魅魍魎
魑魅demon
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 魅力 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 魅
It is pronounced as 'mèi' with a falling tone.
It's more commonly found in literary or formal contexts rather than casual conversation.
A common phrase is 魅力 (mèilì), which means 'charm' or 'attractiveness.'
