黴 (méi) - Mold, mildew & to become moldy

黴Tone 2

méi ｜ 23 strokes ｜ radical:

伦妙

黴 · méi

Mold, mildew;

to become moldy;

also refers to bacterial or fungal growth;

metaphorically indicates decay or corruption.

Mold, mildewto become moldyalso refers to bacterial or fungal growth

Usage highlights

MoldyMold bacteriaPenicillin moldMildew spotMold preventionMoldy smell

Synonyms

  • 霉— mold, mildew (simplified variant)
  • 菌— bacteria, fungus
  • 腐— rot, decay

Antonyms

  • 鲜— fresh, new
  • 洁— clean, pure
  • 干— dry

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The bread grew mold (面包发黴了).
  • Damp conditions cause mold (潮湿导致黴菌生长).
  • This is a type of penicillin mold (这是一种青霉素黴菌).
  • Mildew forms on walls in humid weather (潮湿天气墙上长黴).

Collocations

  • Moldy(发黴)
  • Mold bacteria(黴菌)
  • Penicillin mold(青霉素黴)
  • Mildew spot(黴斑)
  • Mold prevention(防黴)
  • Moldy smell(黴味)

Idioms

  • Mildew spots and moss traces(黴斑苔迹)
  • Moldy and rotten(黴烂腐朽)
  • Affected by mold and dampness(受黴受潮)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Traditionally associated with decay, dampness, and neglect in Chinese culture.
  • In modern usage, scientifically refers to microorganisms like fungi and bacteria.
  • Often carries negative connotations of deterioration and unclean conditions.

FAQ