楣
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: lintel
💡 Remember: 'My' lintel is made of wood (木).
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
Unearthing the character 楣 (méi), we find its radical 木 (wood) hints at its material. This character denotes the lintel, the horizontal beam atop a door or window. In ancient Chinese architecture, the lintel was both structural and symbolic, often carved with auspicious patterns to ward off evil. The phrase 倒楣 (dǎo méi, 'to have bad luck') originally referred to a lintel collapsing, bringing misfortune. Thus, 楣 bridges the physical and the superstitious.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
Your First Step into Chinese Culture: Get a Chinese Name
Every journey into Chinese begins with a name. Use our free Chinese name generator to create a meaningful, personalized Chinese name that fits you perfectly.
Get My Chinese Name →
0