Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
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
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 棉
棉Simplified
12Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7430Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 棉
Podcast: 棉
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 棉
Quick Contrast
棉 (cotton) vs 毛 (wool) — choose 棉 when referring specifically to cotton fibers rather than wool fibers.
Memory Mnemonic
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.
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.
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.
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
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 棉 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 棉 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
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
Complete the Sentence
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 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
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.
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.
Word Family of 棉
Words Containing This Character20
棉miáncotton
棉花miánhuācotton
石棉Shimian County in Ya'an 雅安[Yǎ'ān], Sichuan
棉衣cotton-padded clothes
卫生棉tampon衛生棉
棉布cotton cloth
棉被comforter
高棉Cambodia
棉袄cotton-padded jacket棉襖
棉纱cotton yarn棉紗
棉裤quilted cotton trousers棉褲
棉田cotton field
棉絮cotton wadding
木棉cotton tree (Bombax ceiba)
棉线cotton thread棉線
纯棉pure cotton純棉
棉兰Medan (city in Indonesia)棉蘭
石棉瓦asbestos roofing sheet (corrugated)
棉铃cotton boll (fruit)棉鈴
棉条tampon棉條
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 棉 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 棉
棉 translates to 'cotton' in English.
No, 棉 can refer to various cotton products, including bedding and textiles.
