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棉花 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
棉花miánhuācottonHSK 7, n, 19 strokes, rank #7793, Very Hard
miánhuā(mian2hua1)mian hua T2
  1. 1cotton
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March 24, 2026

棉花miánhuā(mian2hua1)

棉花 (mián huā) refers to cotton, a natural fiber obtained from the cotton plant's seed fibers. It is commonly used in textiles and clothing, valued for its softness and breathability. In various contexts, it can also refer to cotton products or materials made from cotton.

Strokes19Frequency#7793DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

Cotton is integral to Chinese textile history, particularly in regions like Jiangsu and Zhejiang, where cotton cultivation has shaped local economies. The use of cotton in traditional clothing, such as the qipao, illustrates its cultural significance.

Memory tip

Imagine a fluffy cloud of cotton candy floating in the sky. The character 棉 (mián) looks like a tree with a 'cloud' above it, representing the cotton plant, while 花 (huā) means flower, hinting at the plant's blooming form. Together, they symbolize the soft and fluffy nature of cotton.

Meanings of 棉花

miánhuā(mian2hua1)
1cotton
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 棉花

棉花Simplified
19Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7793Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 棉花

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 棉花 with similar words like 毛 (máo), which means fur or hair. While 棉花 is a more formal term often used in textiles and industries, it can also be used informally when discussing clothing. Remember to use the correct tones: mián (2nd tone) and huā (1st tone).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 棉花 is essential for discussing topics related to fashion, textiles, and industry. Students should focus on context usage and related vocabulary, such as 衣服 (yīfu - clothing) and 纺织 (fǎngzhī - textile).

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly write 棉花 as 'mián huā' with incorrect tones, such as 'mián hūa'. Additionally, some may confuse it with similar words like 纸 (zhǐ - paper), which is unrelated.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 棉花

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Component characters

棉miángeneric term for cotton or kapok
HSK 612 strokes木
View full entry
花huāflower
HSK 27 strokes艹
View full entry

How to say cotton in Chinese

“cotton” in Chinese is棉花miánhuā

棉花 (mián huā) refers to cotton, a natural fiber obtained from the cotton plant's seed fibers. It is commonly used in textiles and clothing, valued for its softness and breathability. In various contexts, it can also refer to cotton products or materials made from cotton.

When to use 棉花

Be cautious not to confuse 棉花 with similar words like 毛 (máo), which means fur or hair. While 棉花 is a more formal term often used in textiles and industries, it can also be used informally when discussing clothing. Remember to use the correct tones: mián (2nd tone) and huā (1st tone).

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly write 棉花 as 'mián huā' with incorrect tones, such as 'mián hūa'. Additionally, some may confuse it with similar words like 纸 (zhǐ - paper), which is unrelated.

Write 棉花

棉
花

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Grammar patterns of 棉花

棉花 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

这____长得真叫棒.

That's what I call a really good crop of cotton.

Example sentences for 棉花 (10)

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1
这棉花长得真叫棒.

zhè miánhuā cháng de zhēn jiào bàng.

That's what I call a really good crop of cotton.
2
棉花期货交易的卖价是很高的.

miánhuā qī huò jiāoyì de mài jià shì hěn gāo de.

Cotton futures are selling at high prices.
3
他们交售的棉花全部够得上一级.

tāmen jiāo shòu de miánhuā quánbù gòu de shàng yī jí.

All the cotton they sold to the state was top grade.
4
种棉花赚了那么多钱,能够出外旅行来了.

zhǒng miánhuā zhuàn le nàme duō qián, nénggòu chū wài lǚxíng lái le.

Cleared so much money on the cotton you can go visiting.
5
她昨天拾了许多棉花.

tā zuótiān shè le xǔduō miánhuā.

She picked a lot of cotton yesterday.
6
棉花已摘下来,并已称重.

miánhuā yǐ zhāi xiàlái, bìng yǐ chèn zhòng.

Cotton was picked and weighed up.
7
她摘棉花比我摘得快.

tā zhāi miánhuā bǐ wǒ zhāi de kuài.

She picked cotton much faster than I.
8
还不如当初象黑人那样学会犁田、摘棉花呢.

hái bùrú dāngchū xiàng hēi rén nàyàng xuéhuì lí tián、 zhāi miánhuā ne.

Better that I'd learned to plow or chop cotton like a darky.
9
九月,摘棉花的时候到了.

jiǔ yuè, zhāi miánhuā de shíhou dào le.

It was September and time to pick the cotton.
10
要在骨头突起处垫上大片棉花.

yào zài gǔtou tū qǐ chǔ diàn shàng dàpiàn miánhuā.

Bony prominences are padded with cotton sheeting.
Exercise 1 of 1

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Cultural Notes for 棉花

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, cotton is often associated with comfort and casual wear, while in China, it is deeply integrated into traditional garments and agricultural practices.

Frequently asked questions about 棉花

棉 (mián) refers to the cotton fiber itself, while 棉花 (mián huā) usually refers to the cotton as a product or material.

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