(méi) — (classifier) for small, flat, or round objects (coins, rings, badges, medals, pearls, etc.); (classifier) for larger manufactured items such as rockets, satellites, and missiles

Definition

枚 (méi) is a formal/written measure word for small flat things (coins, medals, stamps) and large objects treated as single units (satellites, missiles). Prefer 颗 for small roundish things like pearls or teeth.

classifier
for smallflator round objects (coins, rings, badges, medals, pearls, etc.)for larger manufactured items such as rockets, satellites, and missiles

Examples

  • Tā yíng dé le yì méi jīn pái.
    He won a gold medal.
  • Tā shǒu shàng dài zhe yì méi zhēn zhū jiè zhi.
    She is wearing a pearl ring on her finger.
  • Zuó tiān zhōng guó yòu fā shè le yì méi wèi xīng.
    China launched another satellite yesterday.

Origin

Compound ideograph
六书liùshū
会意huìyì

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • tree; wood
  • hand holding a stick

枚 is generally seen as 木 (tree; wood) beside 攴 (hand holding a stick).

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