Chinese Character: 免
1. Character Basics
Radical: \u0022免\u0022 (miǎn) - Radical is the character itself
Stroke Count: 7 strokes
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: miǎn (Third tone)
3. Meaning
To avoid; to exempt; to spare; to remove; to escape; to prevent
4. Common Words
- 免费 (miǎnfèi) - free of charge; without cost
- 免税 (miǎnshuì) - tax-free; exempt from tax
- 免除 (miǎnchú) - to remove; to eliminate; to exempt
- 避免 (bìmiǎn) - to avoid; to prevent
- 免疫 (miǎnyì) - immunity; immune
- 任免 (rènmiǎn) - to appoint and dismiss
- 免冠 (miǎnguān) - hatless; without a hat
- 免役 (miǎnyì) - exemption from military service
5. Grammar & Usage
The character \u0022免\u0022 is primarily used as a verb or a prefix meaning \u0022to avoid\u0022 or \u0022to exempt\u0022. As a verb, it is often followed by a noun or verb to form compound verbs. For example, \u0022免单\u0022 (miǎndān) means \u0022to waive the bill\u0022 or \u0022免费\u0022 (miǎnfèi) means \u0022free of charge\u0022. As a prefix, it can be added to other characters to create words with the meaning of \u0022without\u0022 or \u0022exempt from\u0022. For example, \u0022免税\u0022 (miǎnshuì) means \u0022tax-free\u0022 and \u0022免疫\u0022 (miǎnyì) means \u0022immunity\u0022. It is also used in the structure \u0022以免\u0022 (yǐmiǎn) meaning \u0022in order to avoid\u0022 or \u0022to prevent\u0022, which is often followed by a negative consequence.
6. Cultural Background
The concept of \u0022免\u0022 (miǎn) has deep cultural significance in Chinese society, particularly in the context of social welfare and governance. Historically, emperors would sometimes declare \u0022免租\u0022 (miǎnzū) meaning \u0022tax exemption\u0022 during times of natural disasters or to gain popular support. In traditional Chinese culture, the idea of \u0022免\u0022 is often associated with benevolence, mercy, and compassion. This is reflected in idioms such as \u0022免开尊口\u0022 (miǎnkāizūnkǒu) meaning \u0022please don't mention it\u0022 or \u0022免为其难\u0022 (miǎnwéiqínán) meaning \u0022to do something against one's will\u0022. Today, the character \u0022免\u0022 is commonly used in various contexts such as free services, tax exemptions, and legal immunity, continuing its historical association with relief and exemption.
7. Example Sentence
请出示您的会员卡，可以免费获得饮料。
Please show your membership card, and you can get a free drink.
8. Memory Tips
The character \u0022免\u0022 (miǎn) can be remembered by associating it with its meaning \u0022to avoid\u0022 or \u0022to exempt\u0022. One way to remember the stroke order is to think of it as a person with a hat (the top part) and a long robe (the bottom part). The phonetic component \u0022兔\u0022 (tù) meaning \u0022rabbit\u0022 is part of the character, but with a horizontal stroke at the top. You can also associate \u0022免\u0022 with common words like \u0022免费\u0022 (miǎnfèi) meaning \u0022free\u0022 or \u0022免税\u0022 (miǎnshuì) meaning \u0022tax-free\u0022 to reinforce your memory. Another tip is to practice writing the character several times while saying its pronunciation and meaning out loud to help with retention.