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

美 (měi) originated as a pictograph of a person wearing ornamental headwear shaped like sheep horns, symbolizing beauty. This ancient depiction later solidified into the components 羊 (sheep) above 大 (originally a person). While early uses sometimes conveyed "delicious" or "desirable", its primary meaning shifted to physical beauty, aesthetic appeal, and general goodness. Today, beyond these senses, it also functions as a phonetic loan for the first syllable of "America" in 美国 (Měiguó).

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