蘼 (mí) - Luxuriant growth of vegetation & used primarily in classical compounds, especially 蘼芜 (míwú),

蘼Tone 2

mí ｜ 22 strokes ｜ radical:

伦妙

蘼 · mí

Luxuriant growth of vegetation;

used primarily in classical compounds, especially 蘼芜 (míwú), referring to a fragrant plant.

Luxuriant growth of vegetationused primarily in classical compounds, especially 蘼芜 (míwú),

Usage highlights

Luxuriant vegetationFragrant herbOvergrown pathLush and tangledTo wither and fade

Synonyms

  • 芜— overgrown with weeds; tangled vegetation
  • 葳— luxuriant (as in 葳蕤)

Antonyms

  • 枯— withered; dried up
  • 萎— wilt; fade

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The path was overgrown with lush vegetation (草木葳蕤，路径蘼芜).
  • She gathered the fragrant herb (采撷蘼芜).
  • The ancient text mentions the plant (古籍中提及蘼芜).

Collocations

  • Luxuriant vegetation(蘼芜)
  • Fragrant herb(蘼芜)
  • Overgrown path(蘼径)
  • Lush and tangled(蘼蘼)
  • To wither and fade(萎蘼)

Idioms

  • The fragrant herb withers(蘼芜凋零)
  • Lush and tangled growth(蘼蘼丛生)
  • Withering away(萎蘼不振)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Primarily appears in classical Chinese literature and poetry, often evoking imagery of lush, fragrant vegetation or overgrown paths.
  • The compound 蘼芜 (míwú) refers to a specific fragrant herb (likely Ligusticum or a similar plant) used in traditional contexts, sometimes symbolizing separation or remembrance.
  • Its usage in modern Chinese is extremely rare and largely confined to fixed classical expressions or poetic contexts.

FAQ