小麦

• Pinyin: xiǎo mài
• Hanzi breakdown: 小 = depicts something small; 麦 = pictograph of wheat plants with grain heads

Meaning

Wheat. A major cereal crop used to make flour, bread, noodles, and other foods.

One of the most important grain crops in northern China, where wheat-based foods like noodles, dumplings, and mantou (steamed buns) are staples. Contrast with 水稻/大米 (rice) which dominates in the south. Related terms: 麦子 (wheat, colloquial), 面粉 (flour).

Examples

1. 河南是中国最大的小麦产区，产量占全国四分之一。 Henan is China's largest wheat-producing region, accounting for a quarter of the national output.
2. 今年天气好，小麦丰收，农民们都很高兴。 The weather was good this year, the wheat harvest was bountiful, and the farmers are all very happy.
3. 北方人喜欢吃小麦做的食物，比如面条和馒头。 Northerners like to eat foods made from wheat, such as noodles and steamed buns.

Usage Guide

Context: agriculture, food, economy

Tone: informative

Do Say

• 小麦是重要的粮食作物。(Wheat is an important food crop.)
• 这片地种的是小麦。(This field is planted with wheat.)

Don't Say

• 我吃了一碗小麦 — 应该说面条、馒头等具体食物，不直接说'吃小麦'

Origin & History

Compound of 小 (small) + 麦 (wheat). Historically distinguished from 大麦 (barley, 'big wheat'), though both are cereal grains.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal