Mandarin TempleMandarin TempleCome for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
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
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
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

By ear

Play it, then pick what 棉花 means.

About 棉花

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

Podcast: 棉花

JasonAmy

Podcast: 棉花

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

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

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 棉花 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 棉花 to You

Let me explain 棉花 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 棉花 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 棉花?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 棉花 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

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

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

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)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这棉花长得真叫棒.

zhè mián huā cháng dé 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.

mián huā qī huò jiāo yì 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.

tā mén jiāo shòu de mián huā quán bù gòu dé 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 mián huā zhuàn le nà mó duō qián, , néng gòu chū wài lǚ háng lái.

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

tā zuó tiān shí le xǔ duō mián huā.

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

mián huā yǐ zhāi xià lái, , bìng yǐ chēng.

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

tā zhāi mián huā bǐ wǒ zhāi dé 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.

huán bù rú dāng chū xiàng hēi rén nà yàng xué huì lí tián、 、 zhāi mián huā.

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 mián huā de shí hòu dào.

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 gǔ tóu tū qǐ chǔ diàn shàng dà piàn mián huā.

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

Rebuild it

Rebuild it: “That's what I call a really good crop of cotton.”

Tap tokens to build the sentence

Ask Jason

Have a question about 棉花?

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 300 AI credits.

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.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 棉花?

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