迷

• Pinyin: mí
• Hanzi breakdown: 迷 = 辶 (movement radical) + 米 (rice, phonetic component), meaning to lose one's way — extended to being lost in fascination

Meaning

To be fascinated by; to be obsessed with; to be lost. Describes being deeply absorbed in or confused by something.

A versatile word with two main uses. First, as a verb meaning to be fascinated or obsessed: 迷上了 (became hooked on), 着迷 (fascinated). Second, meaning to be lost or confused: 迷路 (get lost), 迷糊 (confused). Also used as a noun suffix meaning a fan or enthusiast: 球迷 (football fan), 影迷 (film fan), 歌迷 (music fan). Very common in daily conversation.

Examples

1. 他迷上了下国际象棋。 He has become hooked on playing chess.
2. 这本小说让很多读者着迷。 This novel has fascinated many readers.
3. 她小时候迷过一段时间的动画片。 She was obsessed with cartoons for a while as a child.

Usage Guide

Context: hobbies, interests, daily life

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 他是一个足球迷。(He is a football fan.)
• 我最近迷上了中国书法。(I've recently become fascinated by Chinese calligraphy.)

Don't Say

• 我迷了数学。(Don't use 迷 directly with an object for fascination — use 迷上了 (became hooked on) or 对...着迷. Say 我迷上了数学.)

Origin & History

迷 = 辶 (movement) + 米 (rice, phonetic). The original meaning was to be lost on a path, unable to find one's way — extended to being mentally lost in fascination.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal