How do you use "mean" in a sentence?

What do you mean by that? I didn't mean to upset you. That was a really mean thing to say.

mean

Q: What does "mean" mean?

To signify or indicate; unkind; an average 'Mean' as a verb signifies what something represents ('What does this word mean?') or intentions ('I didn't mean to hurt you'). As an adjective, it describes unkindness ('a mean person') or, in British English, stinginess. As a noun, it refers to the mathematical average. 'Means' (plural) refers to methods or resources.

Vocabulary Word BritishAmerican ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: To signify or indicate; unkind; an average

意味着，意思是，刻薄的

significar, querer decir, malo/mezquino

意味する、〜するつもりである、意地悪な

의미하다, ~할 작정이다, 심술궂은

'Mean' as a verb signifies what something represents ('What does this word mean?') or intentions ('I didn't mean to hurt you'). As an adjective, it describes unkindness ('a mean person') or, in British English, stinginess. As a noun, it refers to the mathematical average. 'Means' (plural) refers to methods or resources.

「mean」作为动词表示某物代表什么或意图。作为形容词，描述不友善或吝啬。作为名词，指数学平均值。「means」（复数）指方法或资源。

«Mean» como verbo significa lo que algo representa o intenciones. Como adjetivo, describe crueldad o tacañería. Como sustantivo, se refiere al promedio matemático. «Means» (plural) se refiere a métodos o recursos.

「mean」は動詞として何かが表すものや意図を意味します。形容詞として、不親切さやけちを表します。名詞として、数学的平均を指します。「means」（複数形）は方法や手段を指します。

'Mean'은 동사로 무엇을 나타내는지('What does this word mean?')나 의도('I didn't mean to hurt you')를 뜻합니다. 형용사로는 불친절한('a mean person') 또는 영국 영어에서는 인색한이라는 의미입니다. 명사로는 수학적 평균을 가리킵니다. 'Means'(복수형)는 방법이나 수단을 의미합니다.

Examples

What do you mean by that?
你这话是什么意思？
¿Qué quieres decir con eso?
それはどういう意味ですか？
그게 무슨 뜻이에요?
I didn't mean to upset you.
我不是故意让你不高兴的。
No quise molestarte.
あなたを怒らせるつもりはなかった。
당신을 화나게 할 의도는 아니었어요.
That was a really mean thing to say.
那话说得真刻薄。
Eso fue algo muy malo de decir.
それは本当に意地悪な言い方だった。
그건 정말 심술궂은 말이었어요.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: general

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old English 'mǣnan', originally meaning 'to intend' or 'to signify', from Proto-Germanic *mainijaną. Cognate with German 'meinen' (to think, to mean). The adjective 'mean' (unkind) comes from a separate Old English word 'gemǣne' (common, shared).

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal