Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
黽 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
黽miǎnfrog, toad; to strive, to endeavorx, 13 strokes, radical 黽
miǎn(mian3)mian T3
  1. 1frog, toad; to strive, to endeavor
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

黽miǎn(mian3)

The character 黽 (miǎn) primarily refers to a frog or toad, embodying the idea of striving or endeavoring, much like how frogs leap energetically. In literature and poetry, it often symbolizes persistence and effort in overcoming obstacles.

Strokes13Radical黽
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, frogs are often seen as symbols of transformation and resilience, representing the ability to adapt and strive through challenges, much like the folklore of the frog leaping over obstacles.

Memory tip

Imagine a frog (黽) leaping towards a goal, symbolizing 'striving' as it hops from one lily pad to another. The character's components can be visualized as the frog's dark skin (the black radical '黑') under the bright sky, reminding you of the effort it makes in its natural habitat.

Meanings of 黽

miǎn(mian3)
1frog, toad; to strive, to endeavor
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 黽 means.

About 黽

黽Simplified
13Strokes
黽Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 黽

JasonAmy

Podcast: 黽

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 黽

Usage Notes

When using 黽, it's important to note that it may appear more in literary contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Common collocations include phrases like '黽勉' (to strive) and it’s usually used in a formal register. Be careful with the tone; mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other characters.

HSK Study Tips

While 黽 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with other nature-related characters at higher levels. Focus on the context in which nature is described or symbolized in Chinese literature to understand its broader applications.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse 黽 with characters that have similar pronunciations or meanings, such as 蛙 (frog). A common mistake is using 黽 in a casual context; it is more suitable for formal writing or literature.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 黽

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 黽, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 黽 to you

Let me explain 黽 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 黽 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 黽?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 黽 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.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 黽

Formation typePictographic 象形
六书 ClassificationPictograph (象形字)~4% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 黽. Pictograph of a toad.

Memory hint

A frog with bug-eyes

Learn more about Pictograph (象形字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 黽?

How to say frog, toad; to strive, to endeavor in Chinese

“frog, toad; to strive, to endeavor” in Chinese is黽miǎn

The character 黽 (miǎn) primarily refers to a frog or toad, embodying the idea of striving or endeavoring, much like how frogs leap energetically. In literature and poetry, it often symbolizes persistence and effort in overcoming obstacles.

When to use 黽

When using 黽, it's important to note that it may appear more in literary contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Common collocations include phrases like '黽勉' (to strive) and it’s usually used in a formal register. Be careful with the tone; mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other characters.

What learners get wrong

Learners might confuse 黽 with characters that have similar pronunciations or meanings, such as 蛙 (frog). A common mistake is using 黽 in a casual context; it is more suitable for formal writing or literature.

Write 黽

黽

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 黽?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

Word Family of 黽

Words containing this character1
黾miǎntoad黽
Exercise 1 of 1

Characters with 黽

What does 黾 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 黽

It is not commonly used in everyday speech, but it relates to frogs or toads and can symbolize striving.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 黽?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab