Definitions

mài (noun) wheat; barley; oats

Etymology

Simplified form of . The top component depicts a stalk of wheat. The bottom component depicts roots.

About

The character for wheat, originally written in its traditional form as "麥", derives from an etymological composition that combines the component "來", meaning to come, with "夊", symbolizing a downward movement, thereby conceptually reflecting the introduction of this grain into the agricultural landscape. Its structure visually encapsulated the idea of a wheat plant with an ear and descending roots, which over centuries consolidated into a stable representation focused on the crop. The meaning has remained consistently tied to wheat and related products, without substantive semantic drift, while the simplified form "麦" retains the core graphical element from "來" but streamlines the character by omitting the lower part, resulting in a more condensed yet recognizable symbol.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

田里种着子。

Tián lǐ zhòng zhe mài zi.

Wheat is planted in the field.

我喜欢吃片。

Wǒ xǐ huān chī mài piàn.

I like to eat oatmeal.

我们去当劳吧。

Wǒ men qù mài dāng láo ba.

Let's go to McDonald's.

他用克风唱歌。

Tā yòng mài kè fēng chàng gē.

He sings with a microphone.

田在阳光下金黄。

Mài tián zài yáng guāng xià jīn huáng.

The wheat field is golden under the sunlight.

芽糖是一种甜食。

Mài yá táng shì yī zhǒng tián shí.

Maltose is a type of sweet food.

农民们正在收割子。

Nóng mín men zhèng zài shōu gē mài zi.

The farmers are harvesting wheat.

这家公司主要生产克风设备。

Zhè jiā gōng sī zhǔ yào shēng chǎn mài kè fēng shè bèi.

This company mainly produces microphone equipment.