Chinese Character: 梅
1. Character Basics
Radical: 木 (mù) - Wood/tree radical
Stroke Count: 11 strokes
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: méi (Second tone) - \u0022Plum blossom; plum fruit; Japanese apricot\u0022
3. Meaning
The character \u0022梅\u0022 primarily refers to the plum blossom (Prunus mume) and the plum fruit. In Chinese culture, the plum blossom holds special significance as it blooms defiantly in late winter, symbolizing resilience, perseverance, and hope. It is one of the \u0022Four Gentlemen\u0022 (四君子) in traditional Chinese art, along with the orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum. The plum also has culinary uses in Chinese cuisine, particularly in preserves and beverages.
4. Common Words
- 梅花 (méi huā) - Plum blossom (Literal: \u0022plum flower\u0022)
- 梅子 (méi zi) - Plum fruit
- 梅干 (méi gān) - Dried plum
- 梅酒 (méi jiǔ) - Plum wine
- 青梅 (qīng méi) - Green plum; childhood sweetheart (Idiom: \u0022green plum and bamboo horse\u0022)
- 望梅止渴 (wàng méi zhǐ kě) - To console oneself with false hopes (Idiom: \u0022looking at plums to quench thirst\u0022)
- 梅兰竹菊 (méi lán zhú jú) - Plum, orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum (the \u0022Four Gentlemen\u0022 in Chinese art)
- 岁寒三友 (suì hán sān yǒu) - Plum, pine, bamboo (three friends of winter, symbolizing resilience)
5. Grammar & Usage
\u0022梅\u0022 is primarily used as a noun referring to plum trees, blossoms, or fruits. It is commonly combined with other characters to form compound words related to plums in various contexts. In modern Chinese, it is rarely used alone except in certain idiomatic expressions or literary contexts. When used in compounds like \u0022梅花\u0022 (plum blossom) or \u0022梅子\u0022 (plum fruit), it maintains its core meaning while contributing to the specific sense of the compound word.
6. Cultural Background
The plum blossom (梅花) holds a revered position in Chinese culture. For centuries, it has been celebrated in poetry, painting, and literature as a symbol of resilience, nobility, and purity. Its ability to bloom vibrantly in the harsh cold of late winter, before other flowers appear, has made it an enduring metaphor for strength in adversity. The plum blossom is also associated with the Lunar New Year and is a common motif in traditional Chinese art, often depicted alongside pine and bamboo (the \u0022Three Friends of Winter\u0022). Additionally, the plum has inspired numerous cultural traditions, from plum blossom festivals to the use of plums in medicine and cuisine.
7. Example Sentence
Chinese: 梅花在冬天开放，非常美丽。
Pinyin: Méi huā zài dōng tiān kāi fàng, fēi cháng měi lì.
English Translation: Plum blossoms bloom in winter and are very beautiful.
Chinese: 她送了我一瓶自制的梅酒。
Pinyin: Tā sòng le wǒ yī píng zì zhì de méi jiǔ.
English Translation: She gave me a bottle of homemade plum wine.
8. Memory Tips
To remember the character \u0022梅\u0022 (méi), notice its structure: it has the \u0022木\u0022 (mù) radical on the left, which means \u0022wood\u0022 or \u0022tree\u0022, and the right side is \u0022每\u0022 (měi) which serves as a phonetic component. You can think of \u0022梅\u0022 as \u0022the tree that produces beautiful flowers in winter.\u0022 Practice writing the character several times, focusing on the 11-stroke order. Also, connecting the character to its cultural significance as a symbol of resilience can help reinforce your memory.