Definitions

méi (classifier) classifier for flat; round objects (coins, medals, pearls etc)
méi (noun) wooden peg

Etymology

Depicts a hand tapping () the trunk of a tree ().

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "枚" is structured with the wood radical 木 on the left and the component 攵 on the right, the latter deriving from a symbol associated with striking or tapping. Originally denoting the trunk or a slender branch of a tree, its early usage was as a noun within a botanical context. Over time, this concrete meaning expanded, and the character transitioned into a grammatical role as a classifier, now routinely employed to count discrete, often flat objects such as coins, medals, or stamps. This shift from a specific noun to a versatile measure word illustrates a functional change in its application while its graphical composition has remained consistent.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Jin dynasty (266-420 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我找到一硬币。

Wǒ zhǎodào yī méi yìngbì.

I found a coin.

邮票很漂亮。

Zhè méi yóupiào hěn piàoliang.

This stamp is very beautiful.

他送我一戒指。

Tā sòng wǒ yī méi jièzhǐ.

He gave me a ring.

我收藏了一古老的硬币。

Wǒ shōucáng le yī méi gǔlǎo de yìngbì.

I collected an ancient coin.

奖章代表他的荣誉。

Zhè méi jiǎngzhāng dàibiǎo tā de róngyù.

This medal represents his honor.

发射一导弹需要精确计算。

Fāshè yī méi dǎodàn xūyào jīngquè jìsuàn.

Launching a missile requires precise calculation.

在博物馆里,我看到一锈迹斑斑的铁币。

Zài bówùguǎn lǐ, wǒ kàndào yī méi xiùjì bānbān de tiěbì.

In the museum, I saw a rusty iron coin.

经过仔细检查,专家确认这印章是唐代的文物。

Jīngguò zǐxì jiǎnchá, zhuānjiā quèrèn zhè méi yìnzhāng shì Táng dài de wénwù.

After careful examination, experts confirmed that this seal is a cultural relic from the Tang dynasty.