Chinese word

妙

Pronunciation

Pinyinmiào

Meaning

  • adjectivegreat

Example

这个主意妙极了。zhè ge zhǔ yì miào jí le

This idea is great.

Illustration for 妙 (great)

More examples

他的见解非常妙，我们从中受益良多。tā de jiàn jiě fēi cháng miào wǒ men cóng zhōng shòu yì liáng duō

His insight is brilliant, and we benefited greatly from it.

Core concept

An unexpectedly fine touch that makes an idea, method, or skill stand out as ingenious and remarkable.

Common phrases

  • 妙处miào chù

    excellent point

  • 妙用miào yòng

    ingenious use

  • 妙语miào yǔ

    clever remark

Similar words

巧妙qiǎo miào: Describes a well-planned idea or method that works especially effectively.
精彩jīng cǎi: Describes lively content or expression that creates a strong emotional impression.
出色chū sè: Describes a person's ability or the quality of their work as outstanding.
优秀yōu xiù: Describes a general standard of quality or achievement as high and excellent.

Definition in Chinese

形容方法、主意或技艺等非常巧妙或令人称奇。xíng róng fāng fǎ zhǔ yì huò jì yì děng fēi cháng qiǎo miào huò lìng rén chēng qí

Word origin

妙 (miào, "subtle") centers on an older sense of something fine or hard to grasp, which developed into praise for results that are wonderfully ingenious or intriguingly unusual.

Usage tips

  • A brief standalone use can sound literary or playful in conversation, while a fuller praising phrase makes the speaker's admiration sound more natural and clear.

Other meanings

  • cleveradjective
  • strangeadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 绝妙jué miàoexquisiteadjective
  • 巧妙qiǎo miàoingeniousadjective
  • 妙计miào jìbrilliant plannoun

Word lists with this word