I. The Core Meaning of the Character "美" (měi)
The primary meaning of "美" is "beautiful," "pretty," or "fine." However, its essence extends into the realms of aesthetics, satisfaction, and even morality. Its historical composition reveals a profound and somewhat debated origin story.
1. Literal & Aesthetic Meanings:
Beautiful; Pretty: The most direct translation.
美女 (měinǚ) - A beautiful woman.
美景 (měijǐng) - Beautiful scenery.
Good; Satisfactory: Used to describe something that is good or pleasing.
美味 (měiwèi) - Delicious taste ("beautiful flavor").
美酒 (měijiǔ) - Fine wine ("beautiful wine").
To beautify; To be pleased with:
美容 (měiróng) - Cosmetology; to improve one's appearance.
2. Historical & Cultural Construction:
The character "美" is a fascinating puzzle. The most common and traditional interpretation breaks it down as:
羊 (yáng): This means "sheep" or "lamb."
大 (dà): This means "big" or "great."
The classic interpretation is that a "big sheep" was considered beautiful and good. In ancient agrarian societies, a large, healthy sheep represented prosperity, wealth, and a good life—all of which were inherently "beautiful."
Another theory suggests that "大" represents a person, and the component "羊" is a headdress made of feathers or horns. Thus, "美" would depict a dancer or shaman wearing a ceremonial headdress, symbolizing a more abstract, performative, and ritualistic beauty.
Regardless of the origin, the character embodies a concept of beauty that is deeply connected to practical goodness, prosperity, and harmony.
美字汉英互译【Chinese-English Translation】
beauty
相关字词【Related words】
好佳丑恶
造字法【Character Creation】
会意:从羊、从大
美的英文翻译【English Translation】
beautiful, pretty; pleasing
美字组词【Word Grouping】
绚美;柔美;美妙;美色;美育;审美观;溢美;真美;粹美;美味;美学;抗美;趾美;美名;饮美;
美字取名的寓意【The meaning of the name】
美字取名寓指花颜月貌 、赞不绝口、心地善良。之意。中性字,用字频率为百分名字中使用了726次,点击查看美字起名
美字取名的含义是什么【What does the name mean?】:
美字取名义指财富,成功,自信之义;
美配什么字最好【What word is best?】
起名美配什么字最好【What word is best?】?美配什么字最好【What word is best?】男孩可配再、瑗、舞、官、锟等字起名大气好听的。女孩美字配什么字好听可配莉、姗、娟、蕾、蕊等字起名最好听。
与美字搭配的最佳男孩名字【Best boy names that go with this word】
jun mei君美
lian mei莲美
mei ling美苓
tian mei天美
mei jing美婧
mei lin美林
与美字搭配的最佳女孩名字【Best girl names that go with this word】
mei ran美然
mei hua美华
yuan mei圆美
mei lan美兰
mei hui美惠
ya mei亚美