How many strokes does the Chinese character "梅" (méi) have?
"梅" has 11 strokes in Simplified Chinese. Its primary dictionary radical is 木, and you can animate or practice writing every stroke in order using the interactive grid on this page.
Ready · 11 strokes
Speed:
Nature & Elements
Name: Good with Pairing
Tattoo: Safe & Classic
梅 Plum Blossom in Chinese (méi)
Dictionary Summary
梅 (méi) means plum; plum flower; Japanese apricot (Prunus mume). Simplified form has 11 strokes under radical 木.
Pinyin & Toneméi (Tone 2)
Simplified / Trad.梅 / 梅
Radical木
Total Strokes11 strokes
StructureLeft–Right (木 + 每)
Unicode / LevelU+6885 · HSK 5-6
Native Naming & Tattoo Safety Review
🪪 Using “梅” in a Chinese Name · Good with Pairing (Feminine-leaning)
Revered in poetry as the blossom that blooms in harsh winter snow. Matches English names like May or Mae, though standalone 梅 can feel slightly older-generation—pair gracefully (e.g., 梅溪, 咏梅).
✒️ Using “梅” for a Tattoo · Safe & Classic
One of the 'Four Gentlemen' and 'Three Friends of Winter'—symbolizes perseverance and quiet beauty under adversity.
Character Etymology & CC-CEDICT Meanings
Origin & Visual Logic: Tree radical (木) alongside 每 (abundant/every): winter branches abundant with blossoms.
| Traditional / Simplified | Pinyin | CC-CEDICT Definitions |
|---|---|---|
| 梅 / 梅 | méi | plum; plum flower; Japanese apricot (Prunus mume) |
| 梅 / 梅 | Méi | surname Mei |
Lexical entries derived from CC-CEDICT (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Make Me a Hanzi (APL / LGPL-3.0).
Common Words & Idioms Using “梅”
| Chinese Word | Pinyin | English Meaning | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 梅花 | méihuā | plum blossom | |
| 青梅竹马 | qīngméi-zhúmǎ | childhood sweethearts | |
| 雪梅 | xuěméi | plum blossoms in snow |
English Names Using “梅” in Our Curated Recommendations
See how native speakers pair 梅 (méi) into modern Chinese names:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "梅" good to use in a real Chinese name?
Rating: Good with Pairing (Feminine-leaning). Revered in poetry as the blossom that blooms in harsh winter snow. Matches English names like May or Mae, though standalone 梅 can feel slightly older-generation—pair gracefully (e.g., 梅溪, 咏梅).
Is "梅" safe as a Chinese character tattoo?
Tattoo rating: Safe & Classic. One of the 'Four Gentlemen' and 'Three Friends of Winter'—symbolizes perseverance and quiet beauty under adversity.