免
Character Story & Explanation
免 is widely used in modern Chinese for official exemptions and everyday convenience. You’ll see 免费 on subway announcements, museum entry notices, and food delivery apps — all meaning 'free of charge'. A well-documented phrase is 免于起诉 (miǎn yú qǐsù), 'exempt from prosecution', used in legal documents since the 1950s PRC criminal procedure regulations. The idiom 免开尊口 (miǎn kāi zūn kǒu), literally 'please spare your honorable mouth', politely declines a request — still common in customer service and formal letters.
The character’s earliest attested form appears in bronze inscriptions of the Western Zhou dynasty (c. 1046–771 BCE), where it depicted a person kneeling with hands bound — symbolizing 'release from punishment'. By the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE), it evolved into its current structure, retaining the 'person' (as 儿) and 'unbinding' elements. Its modern usage reflects this ancient idea of relief from obligation.
Hi students! Let’s learn 免 (miǎn), a Level 4 HSK character with 7 strokes and the 儿 (ér, 'child') radical. Though it looks like it might relate to children, its core meaning is 'to excuse', 'to exempt', or 'to avoid'. It’s often used in formal or polite contexts — like excusing someone from duty, waiving a fee, or avoiding trouble. Think of it as a respectful 'let go' — not emotional, but procedural and courteous.
This character appears frequently in administrative, educational, and service settings. For example, schools may 免收 tuition (miǎn shōu xuéfèi) — 'waive tuition'. You’ll also see it on signs: 免费 (miǎn fèi) means 'free of charge'. Notice how 免 always implies *removal of obligation or requirement*, never just 'no' or 'not' — that’s handled by other characters like 不 (bù).
Its pronunciation miǎn is a third tone — falling-then-rising — so practice saying it like you’re asking a gentle question: 'miǎn?' Try pairing it with common words like 免费 or 免税 (miǎn shuì, 'tax-exempt'). Writing it? Remember the top part is a simplified version of 悙 (a variant of 晚), but don’t overthink the shape — focus on stroke order: start with the dot, then horizontal, then the left-falling stroke, and finish with the 'legs' (儿). Consistent practice builds muscle memory!
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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