棉 (mián) - Cotton — refers to the cotton plant, cotton

棉Tone 2

mián ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

伦妙

棉 · mián

Cotton — refers to the cotton plant, cotton fiber, or cotton cloth.

Cotton — refers to the cotton plant, cotton

Usage highlights

CottonCotton clothCotton threadCotton waddingCotton fieldCotton textile

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 丝— silk (luxury fabric vs. common cotton)
  • 麻— linen (different plant fiber)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She wore a cotton dress (棉布连衣裙).
  • The region is famous for cotton production (棉花生产).
  • He bought a cotton-padded jacket for winter (棉袄).
  • This pillow is filled with cotton (棉絮).

Collocations

  • Cotton(棉花)
  • Cotton cloth(棉布)
  • Cotton-padded jacket(棉袄)
  • Cotton thread(棉线)
  • Cotton wadding(棉絮)
  • Cotton field(棉田)

Idioms

  • Like cotton pierced by a needle — soft and yielding(绵里藏针)
  • Cotton in the snow — a timely help(雪中送炭)
  • Cotton wrapped in brocade — outwardly beautiful but inwardly plain(锦上添花)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Cotton has been a crucial textile material in China since ancient times, especially for clothing and bedding.
  • The cotton plant symbolizes warmth, comfort, and practicality in Chinese culture.
  • Cotton production played a significant role in China's agricultural and economic history.

FAQ