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March 24, 2026
棉mián(mian2)
棉 (mián) refers to cotton or kapok, commonly used in textiles and clothing. It can describe items that are padded or quilted with cotton, highlighting its soft and warm qualities, often associated with comfort and coziness.
Strokes12Radical木Frequency#7430DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, cotton has historically been a crucial material for clothing, especially in rural areas. The use of cotton-padded jackets (棉衣) is a traditional aspect of winter attire in northern China, showcasing its importance in daily life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fluffy cotton cloud (棉) floating softly in the sky, representing the softness of cotton. The character '棉' has a tree radical (木) at the top, suggesting that cotton comes from nature, while the bottom part looks like soft fibers, reinforcing the idea of comfort.
Meanings of 棉
mián(mian2)
1generic term for cotton or kapok
2cotton
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 棉
棉Simplified
12Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7430Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 棉
Podcast: 棉
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AI Study Notes for 棉
Quick Contrast
棉 (cotton) vs 毛 (wool) — choose 棉 when referring specifically to cotton fibers rather than wool fibers.
Usage Notes
棉 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly when discussing fabrics or clothing. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding words, and remember that it can be used in various collocations such as '棉花' (cotton flower) and '棉被' (cotton quilt).
HSK Study Tips
While 棉 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it connects well with HSK 2 and 3 vocabulary related to clothing and materials. Students should focus on recognizing it in phrases related to clothing and textiles.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 棉 with other similar-sounding words like 闷 (mèn, meaning 'stuffy'). Remember that 棉 specifically relates to cotton products. For example, saying '我买了棉衣服' (I bought cotton clothes) is correct, while '我买了闷衣服' is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 棉
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Knowing 棉 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.
How to say generic term for cotton or kapok in Chinese
“generic term for cotton or kapok” in Chinese is棉mián
棉 (mián) refers to cotton or kapok, commonly used in textiles and clothing. It can describe items that are padded or quilted with cotton, highlighting its soft and warm qualities, often associated with comfort and coziness.
When to use 棉
棉 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly when discussing fabrics or clothing. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding words, and remember that it can be used in various collocations such as '棉花' (cotton flower) and '棉被' (cotton quilt).
棉 or something close to it
棉 (cotton) vs 毛 (wool) — choose 棉 when referring specifically to cotton fibers rather than wool fibers.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 棉 with other similar-sounding words like 闷 (mèn, meaning 'stuffy'). Remember that 棉 specifically relates to cotton products. For example, saying '我买了棉衣服' (I bought cotton clothes) is correct, while '我买了闷衣服' is incorrect.
Write 棉
棉
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Grammar Patterns of 棉
棉 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). 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.
Exercise 1 of 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
因为天气暖和，戴维只穿了一件白色的____衬衣。
Because it was warm, David wore only a white cotton shirt.
Example Sentences for 棉 (16)
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1
因为天气暖和，戴维只穿了一件白色的棉衬衣。
yīn wéi tiān qì nuǎn hé， ， dài wéi zhī chuān le yī jiàn bái sè de mián chèn。
Because it was warm, David wore only a white cotton shirt.
