泥

• Pinyin: ní
• Hanzi breakdown: 泥 = 氵(water) + 尼 (phonetic). Earth mixed with water.

Meaning

Mud; clay; mire; paste.

Refers to wet earth or soil. Extended meanings: 泥土 (earth/soil), 水泥 (cement), 泥人 (clay figurine), 陷入泥潭 (stuck in a quagmire). Also used for paste-like substances: 芋泥 (taro paste), 土豆泥 (mashed potatoes).

Examples

1. 雨后的土路很滑，我的鞋子上全是泥。 The dirt road was slippery after the rain, and my shoes were covered in mud.
2. 小时候最喜欢玩泥巴，能捏出各种各样的小动物。 When I was little, I loved playing with mud — I could mold all kinds of little animals.
3. 这条路坑坑洼洼的，一下雨就变成了泥潭。 This road is full of potholes and turns into a mud pit whenever it rains.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, construction, children's play

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 鞋上都是泥。(There's mud all over my shoes.)
• 土豆泥很好吃。(Mashed potatoes are delicious.)

Don't Say

• 把泥和土混淆 (泥 is wet/muddy; 土 is dry earth/soil)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic with 水 (water) and 尼 phonetic. Wet earth mixed with water.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal