美

měi

大 + 𦍌

HSK 3.0Level 4

Definitions

měi (adjective) beautiful; good; pleasing

Měi (noun) America; USA

Etymology

Pictograph of a person with ornamental headwear resembling sheep horns.

About

The character 美 (měi) combines 羊 (yáng, sheep) over 大 (dà, big), originally signifying a large sheep as delicious or desirable. This sense of gustatory excellence gradually extended to encompass physical beauty and aesthetic appeal. In modern usage, 美 primarily denotes beauty and also serves as a phonetic component in 美国 (Měiguó), the name for America.

Etymology Hide

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这里的风景很美。

Zhèlǐ de fēngjǐng hěn měi.

The scenery here is very beautiful.

她喜欢美丽的花。

Tā xǐhuān měilì de huā.

She likes beautiful flowers.

我的朋友来自美国。

Wǒ de péngyou láizì Měiguó.

My friend comes from America.

中国美食很好吃。

Zhōngguó měishí hěn hǎochī.

Chinese food is very delicious.

她在学习美术。

Tā zài xuéxí měishù.

She is studying art.

美丽的花朵在开放。

Měilì de huāduǒ zài kāifàng.

Beautiful flowers are blooming.

她的表演优美动人。

Tā de biǎoyǎn yōuměi dòngrén.

Her performance is graceful and moving.

追求美好生活是每个人的权利。

Zhuīqiú měihǎo shēnghuó shì měi gè rén de quánlì.

Pursuing a good life is everyone's right.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 大

Component: 𦍌

美