Meanings of 米
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About 米
Podcast: 米
Podcast: 米
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AI study notes for 米
小米 (xiǎomǐ) vs 粟 (sù) — choose 米 for general rice or grain, while 小米 specifically refers to millet and 粟 to foxtail millet.
米 is generally used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing food or agriculture. A common mistake is to confuse 米 with 斤 (jīn), which refers to weight; remember that 米 specifically indicates the grain itself. When using it in combination with other words, ensure to use the correct measure word, like 粒 (lì) for individual grains.
As an HSK Level 3 word, 米 connects well with other food-related vocabulary such as 饭 (fàn, cooked rice/meal) and 面 (miàn, noodles). Focus on using 米 in sentences related to meals or cooking to reinforce its meaning and usage.
Learners often confuse 米 with the character for 'meter' (米), leading to sentences like '我有三米米' (I have three meters of rice), which is incorrect. Instead, use '我有三粒米' (I have three grains of rice).
Pronunciation of 米
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Jason Explains 米 to you
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Learning Lab
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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.
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Etymology of 米
Pictograph of grains of rice.
Grains of rice
Origin
What kind of character is 米?
Decomposition of 米
Parts
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How to say rice in Chinese
“rice” in Chinese is米
米 (mǐ) primarily means 'rice', a staple food in Chinese cuisine. It can also refer to other grains and is used as a classifier for small, round objects, like grains of rice. Additionally, 米 is a common surname in China, representing a significant aspect of Chinese culture and agriculture.
When to use 米
米 is generally used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing food or agriculture. A common mistake is to confuse 米 with 斤 (jīn), which refers to weight; remember that 米 specifically indicates the grain itself. When using it in combination with other words, ensure to use the correct measure word, like 粒 (lì) for individual grains.
米 or something close to it
小米 (xiǎomǐ) vs 粟 (sù) — choose 米 for general rice or grain, while 小米 specifically refers to millet and 粟 to foxtail millet.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 米 with the character for 'meter' (米), leading to sentences like '我有三米米' (I have three meters of rice), which is incorrect. Instead, use '我有三粒米' (I have three grains of rice).
Write 米
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Practice writing 米 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 米
米 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他有一____八高。
He is 1.8 meters tall.
Example sentences for 米 (19)
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Rebuild it: “I eat rice every evening.”
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Word Family of 米
Characters with 米
What does 来 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 米
米 refers to uncooked rice grains, while 饭 refers to cooked rice or a meal.
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