Chinese Character Exploration: 美 (měi)

Basic Meaning

The Chinese character “美” primarily means beautiful or pretty. In oracle bone inscriptions, the upper part of “美” is “羊” (sheep), and the lower part is “大” (big), meaning “a big sheep is beautiful.” In ancient times, sheep were valuable livestock, and a large, healthy sheep symbolized beauty, abundance, and prosperity. Over time, “美” extended to mean beauty, goodness, and excellence.

When combined with other characters, “美” forms new words with expanded meanings:

  • 美丽 (měilì, beautiful): Refers to physical appearance or scenery;
  • 美德 (měidé, virtue): Refers to moral excellence and good character;
  • 美食 (měishí, delicacy): Refers to delicious food.

These combinations illustrate how “美” extends from its original meaning to encompass appearance, character, and quality of life.

Extended Meanings and Polysemy

“美” has rich extended meanings in Chinese:

  • Physical beauty: e.g., beautiful person, beautiful scenery;
  • Moral and spiritual beauty: e.g., virtue, good reputation;
  • Sensory enjoyment: e.g., tasty food, fine wine;
  • Abbreviation of a country: In modern usage, “美” also stands for the United States (美国).

Cultural and Symbolic Significance

  • Harmony and abundance: Symbolizes elegance, prosperity, and perfection;
  • Morality and spirit: Goes beyond physical beauty to emphasize moral excellence and noble character;
  • Culture and ideals: Often used as the highest form of praise, e.g., “perfect and beautiful” (尽善尽美).

Usage and Context

  • Nouns: beauty, beautiful person, delicious food;
  • Adjectives: beautiful, wonderful, delightful;
  • Abbreviation: short for “United States.”

Summary

The character “美” is rich and versatile, from its original meaning of “a big sheep is beautiful” to its extended meanings covering physical beauty, virtue, enjoyment, and cultural ideals. Its use in different contexts not only conveys aesthetic appreciation but also reflects Chinese cultural values of morality, harmony, and the pursuit of perfection.