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大米 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
大米dàmǐ(husked) riceHSK 5, unknown, 9 strokes, rank #11635, Hard
dàmǐ(da4mi3)da mi T4
  1. 1(husked) rice
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March 24, 2026

大米dàmǐ(da4mi3)

大米 refers to unhusked or polished rice, which is a staple food in many Chinese households. It is commonly used in various dishes, from rice bowls to fried rice, and is essential in traditional meals.

Strokes9Frequency#11635DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, rice is not just a food item but a symbol of prosperity and sustenance. It is often featured in celebrations and rituals, reflecting its importance in daily life.

Memory Tip

Think of 大 (big) as a large bowl of rice, and 米 (rice) as the grains themselves. Imagine a big bowl filled to the brim with polished rice, representing abundance and nourishment.

Meanings of 大米

dàmǐ(da4mi3)
1(husked) rice
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About 大米

大米Simplified
9Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 大米

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Podcast: 大米

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AI Study Notes for 大米

Quick Contrast

米 (mǐ) vs 粳米 (jiāngmǐ): 米 is a general term for rice, while 大米 specifically refers to unhusked or polished rice, emphasizing its status as a staple.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 大米 with 粗米 (coarse rice) and 糯米 (glutinous rice), which have different textures and culinary uses. This term is used in both formal and informal contexts, often appearing in menus and recipes.

HSK Study Tips

Although 大米 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it's useful for learners at HSK 2 or above due to its frequent use in everyday conversations about food. Focus on related vocabulary like 饭 (rice meal) and 粽子 (rice dumpling).

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 大米 to refer to cooked rice, which is actually called 米饭. For example, saying '我想吃大米' (I want to eat rice) should be corrected to '我想吃米饭'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 大米

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Component Characters

大dàbig
HSK 13 strokes大
View full entry
米mǐrice
HSK 36 strokes米
View full entry

How to say (husked) rice in Chinese

“(husked) rice” in Chinese is大米dàmǐ

大米 refers to unhusked or polished rice, which is a staple food in many Chinese households. It is commonly used in various dishes, from rice bowls to fried rice, and is essential in traditional meals.

When to use 大米

Be careful not to confuse 大米 with 粗米 (coarse rice) and 糯米 (glutinous rice), which have different textures and culinary uses. This term is used in both formal and informal contexts, often appearing in menus and recipes.

大米 or something close to it

米 (mǐ) vs 粳米 (jiāngmǐ): 米 is a general term for rice, while 大米 specifically refers to unhusked or polished rice, emphasizing its status as a staple.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 大米 to refer to cooked rice, which is actually called 米饭. For example, saying '我想吃大米' (I want to eat rice) should be corrected to '我想吃米饭'.

Write 大米

大
米

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

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Frequently Asked Questions about 大米

大米 specifically refers to polished rice, while 米 can refer to rice in general, including uncooked and cooked varieties.

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