棉

• Pinyin: mián
• Hanzi breakdown: 棉 = 木 (wood/tree) + 帛 (silk/cloth). A plant that produces textile fiber.

Meaning

Cotton; cotton plant or cotton fiber used for textiles and padding.

Both the plant and the material. Common compounds: 棉花 (cotton), 棉被 (cotton quilt), 棉袄 (padded jacket), 棉布 (cotton cloth), 棉签 (cotton swab). China is a major cotton producer. Often used as adjective: 纯棉 (pure cotton), 全棉 (100% cotton).

Examples

1. 新疆是中国最大的棉花产区，产量占全国一半以上。 Xinjiang is China's largest cotton-producing region, accounting for more than half of the national output.
2. 冬天盖棉被特别暖和，比化纤的舒服多了。 Covering yourself with a cotton quilt in winter is especially warm — much more comfortable than synthetic fiber.
3. 这件衬衫是纯棉的，穿起来很透气。 This shirt is pure cotton and very breathable to wear.

Usage Guide

Context: textiles, agriculture, clothing, daily life

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 这是纯棉面料。(This is pure cotton fabric.)
• 棉被很暖和。(Cotton quilts are very warm.)

Don't Say

• 把棉和绵混淆 (棉 is cotton material; 绵 means continuous/soft, as in 绵羊 sheep)

Origin & History

The character 棉 combines 木 (wood/plant) + 帛 (silk cloth), indicating a plant-based textile material.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal