媚

mèi

女 + 眉

Definitions

mèi (verb) charm; flatter; ingratiate oneself

mèi (adjective) seductive; enchanting

Etymology phono-semantic

woman

Semantic: 女 Phonetic: 眉

About

The character 媚 is a phono-semantic compound: the female radical 女 on the left provides the semantic category, while the phonetic 眉 (méi, 'eyebrow') on the right offers both sound and a visual cue. Because eyebrows are closely tied to facial expressions, the character originally described a woman's captivating appearance, alluring beauty, and charming demeanor. Over time, it came to be used as a verb meaning to flatter, and as an adjective for obsequious, fawning conduct, particularly behavior aimed at currying favor with superiors. Consequently, 媚 can denote sycophantic individuals, superficial charm, or an overly eager desire to please.

Etymology Hide

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

她的笑容很妩媚。

Tā de xiàoróng hěn wǔmèi.

Her smile is very charming.

他谄媚地笑着。

Tā chǎnmèi de xiàozhe.

He is smiling flatteringly.

她的媚眼让人心动。

Tā de mèiyǎn ràng rén xīndòng.

Her seductive eyes make people's hearts flutter.

这幅画展现了自然的妩媚。

Zhè fú huà zhǎnxiànle zìrán de wǔmèi.

This painting displays the charm of nature.

不要用谄媚的态度对待上司。

Bùyào yòng chǎnmèi de tàidù duìdài shàngsī.

Do not treat your boss with a flattering attitude.

她的娇媚姿态吸引了所有人的目光。

Tā de jiāomèi zītài xīyǐnle suǒyǒu rén de mùguāng.

Her coquettish posture attracted everyone's gaze.

这种媚俗的艺术作品缺乏深度。

Zhè zhǒng mèisú de yìshù zuòpǐn quēfá shēndù.

This kind of art that panders to vulgar tastes lacks depth.

在商业广告中，媚俗的元素常常被用来吸引大众。

Zài shāngyè guǎnggào zhōng, mèisú de yuánsù chángcháng bèi yòng lái xīyǐn dàzhòng.

In commercial advertising, elements that pander to vulgar tastes are often used to attract the public.

Related Characters

Component: 女

Component: 眉

媚