Definitions
(noun)
rice
(noun)
meter
Etymology
Pictograph of grains of rice.
About
The character "米" finds its origins in an early pictographic representation of rice grains, with its structure of crossing lines intended to evoke the image of husked seeds separated from their hulls. Etymologically, it has consistently served as a semantic indicator for hulled rice or similar grains, forming the basis for numerous compounds related to food and agriculture. Over time, while its primary meaning remained centered on the edible grain, the character experienced a significant semantic extension through phonetic borrowing to represent the unit of length "meter", thereby acquiring a modern technical usage alongside its traditional culinary sense without any alteration to its graphical form.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
米饭很好吃。
妈妈买了很多米。
大米是主要食物。
请给我一些小米。
这个房间宽三米。
她穿了一件米色外套。
米饭的营养价值很高。
用厘米测量这张纸。