緜 (mián) - Fine silk floss & soft, continuous fibers

緜Tone 2

mián ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

伦妙

緜 · mián

Fine silk floss;

soft, continuous fibers;

extended meanings include continuous, unbroken, delicate, and soft.

Fine silk flosssoft, continuous fibersextended meanings include continuous, unbroken, delicate, and soft.

Usage highlights

Silk flossContinuous and unbrokenSoft and gentleLong and drawnFine and delicateCotton

Synonyms

  • 绵— soft, continuous (simplified variant)
  • 丝— silk
  • 柔— soft, gentle
  • 连— continuous, connected

Antonyms

  • 硬— hard, rigid
  • 断— broken, interrupted
  • 刚— firm, unyielding

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The fabric was filled with silk floss (绵絮).
  • A continuous mountain range (绵延的山脉).
  • She has a soft, gentle disposition (性格绵软).
  • The project experienced a long delay (绵亘).

Collocations

  • Silk floss(绵絮)
  • Continuous and unbroken(绵延)
  • Soft and gentle(绵软)
  • Long and drawn-out(绵长)
  • Fine and delicate(绵密)
  • Cotton(绵羊 is sheep, but 绵 can imply softness like cotton)

Idioms

  • Continuous as mountains(绵延不绝)
  • Long-lasting sentiment(情意绵绵)
  • Fine and meticulous(绵里藏针 - needle hidden in silk floss)
  • Continuous lineage(瓜瓞绵绵)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to fine silk fibers, representing delicacy and continuity in Chinese textile culture.
  • In traditional symbolism, continuous silk threads represent unbroken family lineage and enduring relationships.
  • The character appears in classical texts describing both physical softness and metaphorical continuity.

FAQ