HSK 6, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 辶, rank #6825, Hard
mài(mai4) T4
1to take a step
2old; to pass by, to take a stride
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March 24, 2026
迈(邁)mài(mai4)
The character 迈 (mài) primarily means 'to take a step' or 'to stride.' It is often used to describe a physical action of walking or moving forward, and can also metaphorically imply making progress in life or in a situation. The nuance of the character suggests a confident, purposeful movement.
Strokes6Radical辶Frequency#6825DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of taking strides or making progress is often tied to the idea of improving one's life circumstances, which is reflected in the saying '一步一个脚印' (yī bù yī gè jiǎo yìn), meaning 'every step leaves a footprint.' This emphasizes the importance of steady progress.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant foot stepping forward, each stride representing progress. The character 迈 resembles a person taking a long, confident step, with the left side symbolizing the foot and the right side representing the ground being moved forward.
Meanings of 迈
mài(mai4)
1to take a step
2old; to pass by, to take a stride
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 迈
迈Simplified
邁Traditional
6Strokes
辶Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#6825Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 迈
Podcast: 迈
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AI Study Notes for 迈
Quick Contrast
走 (zǒu, to walk) - use 迈 (mài) to emphasize a confident or purposeful stride rather than just the act of walking.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 迈 with similar-sounding characters like 买 (mǎi, to buy), which can lead to misunderstanding. This term is generally more formal and is often used in written contexts or speeches rather than casual conversations. Pay attention to the tone; remember that 迈 is pronounced with a falling tone (mài).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 迈 connects well with other verbs expressing movement and progress, such as 跑 (pǎo, to run) and走 (zǒu, to walk). Students should focus on incorporating it into phrases about personal growth or achievements to enhance their vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 迈 with the character 迈过 (mài guò, to pass by), leading to incorrect usage. For instance, saying '我迈过那条街' (Wǒ mài guò nà tiáo jiē) instead of '我走过那条街' (Wǒ zǒu guò nà tiáo jiē) can change the meaning significantly.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 迈
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2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 迈? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 迈?
Decomposition of 迈
IDS Structure⿺辶万
迈Full Character
=
辶chuo4
enclosing
万Mo4
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 迈?
How to say to take a step in Chinese
“to take a step” in Chinese is迈mài
The character 迈 (mài) primarily means 'to take a step' or 'to stride.' It is often used to describe a physical action of walking or moving forward, and can also metaphorically imply making progress in life or in a situation. The nuance of the character suggests a confident, purposeful movement.
When to use 迈
Common mistakes include confusing 迈 with similar-sounding characters like 买 (mǎi, to buy), which can lead to misunderstanding. This term is generally more formal and is often used in written contexts or speeches rather than casual conversations. Pay attention to the tone; remember that 迈 is pronounced with a falling tone (mài).
迈 or something close to it
走 (zǒu, to walk) - use 迈 (mài) to emphasize a confident or purposeful stride rather than just the act of walking.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 迈 with the character 迈过 (mài guò, to pass by), leading to incorrect usage. For instance, saying '我迈过那条街' (Wǒ mài guò nà tiáo jiē) instead of '我走过那条街' (Wǒ zǒu guò nà tiáo jiē) can change the meaning significantly.
Write 迈
迈
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Practice writing 迈 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 迈
迈 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 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 4
Complete the Sentence
“很高兴见到你，”____克尔说。“我也是，”玛丽·安说。
"Nice to meet you," said Michael. "Same here," said Mary Ann.
