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March 24, 2026
苗miáo(Miao2)
The character 苗 (miáo) refers to sprouts or seedlings, often used in agricultural contexts. It also denotes the Miao ethnic group, a prominent cultural community in southwest China, known for their rich traditions and vibrant clothing. The term can refer to both the biological concept of young plants and the cultural identity of the Miao people.
Strokes8Radical艹Frequency#16504DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The Miao people have a significant cultural presence in China, particularly known for their intricate silver jewelry and traditional festivals. Understanding the term 苗 deepens appreciation for the diversity within Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a small sprout (苗) pushing through the soil, reaching for the sun. The character looks like a sprout with its two leafy components at the top. The pronunciation 'miáo' sounds like 'meow', picturing a cat curiously observing the sprout's growth.
Meanings of 苗
miáo(Miao2)
1Hmong or Miao ethnic group of southwest China
2sprout
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 苗
苗Simplified
8Strokes
艹Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#16504Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 苗
Podcast: 苗
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AI Study Notes for 苗
Quick Contrast
苗 (miáo) vs 幼 (yòu) — use 苗 for young plants or seedlings specifically, while 幼 refers more broadly to young or immature beings.
Usage Notes
When using 苗 in conversation, be mindful of the context to avoid confusion between its agricultural and ethnic meanings. It's commonly used in both formal and informal settings, but make sure to clarify if discussing the Miao people or plant sprouts. Note that the fourth tone (miáo) is crucial to distinguish it from similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
Although 苗 is not an HSK level word, it relates to vocabulary around agriculture and cultural identity, which may appear in higher-level contexts. Students should focus on its dual meanings and practice using it in sentences about both plants and ethnic groups.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 苗 with similar-sounding characters. For instance, using 'miǎo' (third tone) instead of 'miáo' (second tone) can lead to misunderstandings. Always ensure the correct tone is used for clarity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 苗
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Drill the tone of 苗 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Sprouts are plants (艹) that rise from the field (田).
1The giveawayGrass 艹 growing in a field 田
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 苗? 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 苗?
Decomposition of 苗
IDS Structure⿱艹田
苗Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
田Tian2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 苗?
How to say Hmong or Miao ethnic group of southwest China in Chinese
“Hmong or Miao ethnic group of southwest China” in Chinese is苗miáo
The character 苗 (miáo) refers to sprouts or seedlings, often used in agricultural contexts. It also denotes the Miao ethnic group, a prominent cultural community in southwest China, known for their rich traditions and vibrant clothing. The term can refer to both the biological concept of young plants and the cultural identity of the Miao people.
When to use 苗
When using 苗 in conversation, be mindful of the context to avoid confusion between its agricultural and ethnic meanings. It's commonly used in both formal and informal settings, but make sure to clarify if discussing the Miao people or plant sprouts. Note that the fourth tone (miáo) is crucial to distinguish it from similar-sounding words.
苗 or something close to it
苗 (miáo) vs 幼 (yòu) — use 苗 for young plants or seedlings specifically, while 幼 refers more broadly to young or immature beings.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 苗 with similar-sounding characters. For instance, using 'miǎo' (third tone) instead of 'miáo' (second tone) can lead to misunderstandings. Always ensure the correct tone is used for clarity.
Write 苗
苗
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Practice writing 苗 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 苗
苗 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 4
Complete the Sentence
这位大人凝视的目光离开火____，与上校的目光相遇。
The Monsignor turned his gaze from the flames to meet the Colonel's.
