Learn a Chinese Character - 眉 (méi(Secondtone)-u0022Eyebrow;forehead;topedgeofsomethingu0022Tāyǒuzhewānwāndeméimao,kànqǐláihěnwēnróu.Tīngdàozhègehǎoxiāoxi,tāméikāiyǎnxiào.) - The primary meaning of u0022眉u0022 is u0022eyebrowu0022, the hair that grows above the eye. It can also refer to the forehead area or metaphorically to the top edge or border of something, such as the u0022brow of a hillu0022 or the u0022edge of a booku0022. In Chinese culture, eyebrows have traditionally been considered important for facial beauty and expression, which is reflected in many idioms and expressions.

Chinese Character: 眉

1. Character Basics

Radical: 目 (mù) - Eye radical (note that \u0022眉\u0022 is its own radical in some systems)

Stroke Count: 9 strokes

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: méi (Second tone) - \u0022Eyebrow; forehead; top edge of something\u0022

3. Meaning

The primary meaning of \u0022眉\u0022 is \u0022eyebrow\u0022, the hair that grows above the eye. It can also refer to the forehead area or metaphorically to the top edge or border of something, such as the \u0022brow of a hill\u0022 or the \u0022edge of a book\u0022. In Chinese culture, eyebrows have traditionally been considered important for facial beauty and expression, which is reflected in many idioms and expressions.

4. Common Words

眉毛 (méi máo) - Eyebrows (Literal: \u0022eyebrow hair\u0022)
眉目 (méi mù) - Facial features; clues, hints (Literal: \u0022eyebrows and eyes\u0022)
眉头 (méi tóu) - Eyebrow (especially the inner end); look of worry (Literal: \u0022eyebrow head\u0022)
眉心 (méi xīn) - Space between the eyebrows (Literal: \u0022eyebrow center\u0022)
眉开眼笑 (méi kāi yǎn xiào) - Smiling broadly, beaming with joy (Idiom: \u0022eyebrows raised and eyes smiling\u0022)
眉清目秀 (méi qīng mù xiù) - Handsome/pretty with clear features (Idiom: \u0022clear eyebrows and beautiful eyes\u0022)
扬眉吐气 (yáng méi tǔ qì) - Feel proud and elated (Idiom: \u0022raise eyebrows and expel breath\u0022)
迫在眉睫 (pò zài méi jié) - Extremely urgent (Idiom: \u0022pressing at eyebrow and eyelashes\u0022)

5. Grammar & Usage

\u0022眉\u0022 is primarily used as a noun referring to eyebrows. It is commonly combined with other characters to form compound words related to facial features, expressions, or metaphorical extensions. In modern Chinese, it is rarely used alone except in certain idiomatic expressions or literary contexts. When used in compounds like \u0022眉毛\u0022 (eyebrows) or \u0022眉目\u0022 (facial features), it maintains its core meaning while contributing to the specific sense of the compound word.

6. Cultural Background

In Chinese culture, eyebrows have long been considered an important aspect of facial beauty and expression. Different eyebrow shapes were traditionally associated with different personality traits or social statuses. In Chinese art and literature, eyebrows are often used metaphorically to convey emotions or states of mind. For example, raised eyebrows might indicate surprise or admiration, while furrowed brows suggest worry or concentration. Many Chinese idioms and proverbs incorporate references to eyebrows, reflecting their cultural significance in Chinese society.

7. Example Sentence

Chinese: 她有着弯弯的眉毛，看起来很温柔。

Pinyin: Tā yǒu zhe wān wān de méi mao, kàn qǐ lái hěn wēn róu.

English Translation: She has curved eyebrows and looks very gentle.

Chinese: 听到这个好消息，他眉开眼笑。

Pinyin: Tīng dào zhè ge hǎo xiāo xi, tā méi kāi yǎn xiào.

English Translation: Upon hearing this good news, he beamed with joy.

8. Memory Tips

To remember the character \u0022眉\u0022 (méi), notice its structure: it has the \u0022目\u0022 (mù) radical at the bottom, which means \u0022eye\u0022, and the top part represents the shape of eyebrows above the eye. You can imagine the character as a stylized drawing of an eye with eyebrows above it. Practice writing the character several times, focusing on the 9-stroke order. Also, learning common words and idioms containing \u0022眉\u0022 can help reinforce your memory of this character.