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March 24, 2026
亡wáng(wang2)
The character 亡 (wáng) primarily means 'to die' or 'to lose.' It is commonly used in contexts related to death, loss, or disappearance. This character can also imply fleeing or being gone, and it is often associated with destruction or perishing.
Strokes3Radical亠Frequency#6571DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of death is approached with respect and solemnity. The character 亡 often appears in discussions surrounding funerals and ancestor worship, reflecting the importance of honoring those who have passed.
Memory Tip
Imagine a figure (the character 亡) running away from a giant tombstone, symbolizing death and loss. The character's form resembles a person with arms raised, fleeing from the inevitable fate of death.
Meanings of 亡
wáng(wang2)
1to die
2to lose
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 亡
亡Simplified
3Strokes
亠Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#6571Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 亡
Podcast: 亡
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AI Study Notes for 亡
Quick Contrast
亡 (wáng) vs 死 (sǐ) — use 亡 for a broader context of loss or disappearance, while 死 specifically refers to the act of dying.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a figure (the character 亡) running away from a giant tombstone, symbolizing death and loss. The character's form resembles a person with arms raised, fleeing from the inevitable fate of death.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 亡 with similar-sounding characters. It is primarily used in literary or formal contexts, so be cautious when using it in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 亡命 (wángmìng, to flee for one's life) and 亡故 (wánggù, to pass away).
HSK Study Tips
As this character is not part of any HSK level, students should focus on its usage in literary texts or idioms. It connects with other words related to death and loss, like 死 (sǐ, to die) and 死亡 (sǐwáng, death).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of death is approached with respect and solemnity. The character 亡 often appears in discussions surrounding funerals and ancestor worship, reflecting the importance of honoring those who have passed.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is to confuse 亡 with 忘 (wàng, to forget) due to their similar pronunciation. For example, saying '我亡了这件事情' (wǒ wáng le zhè jiàn shìqíng) instead of '我忘了这件事情' (wǒ wàng le zhè jiàn shìqíng) can lead to confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 亡
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Grammar Patterns of 亡
亡 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
流____者被切断了与家乡的所有联系。
The exiles had been cut off from all contact with their homeland.
Example Sentences for 亡 (10)
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1
流亡者被切断了与家乡的所有联系。
liú wáng zhě bèi qiē duàn le yǔ jiā xiāng de suǒ yǒu lián xì。
The exiles had been cut off from all contact with their homeland.
2
一名男青年从陡峭的岩壁上坠崖身亡。
yī míng nán qīng nián cóng dǒu qiào de yán bì shàng zhuì yá shēn wáng。
A young man plunged from a sheer rock face to his death.
3
他在西班牙海岸附近的一次海难中溺水身亡。
tā zài xī bān yá hǎi àn fù jìn de yī cì hǎi nán zhōng nì shuǐ shēn wáng。
He was drowned in a shipwreck off the coast of Spain.
In Chinese culture, the concept of death is approached with respect and solemnity. The character 亡 often appears in discussions surrounding funerals and ancestor worship, reflecting the importance of honoring those who have passed.
Word Family of 亡
Compounds24
望wang4full moon
忙mang2busy
忘wang4to forget
妄wang4absurd
盲mang2blind
氓mang2see 流氓[liú máng]
芒mang2awn (of cereals)
肓huang1abdominal cavity; the area between the heart and diaphragm
盳
巟
杗
牤
甿
笀
虻meng2horsefly, gadfly
衁
邙Mang2a mountain in Henan province
匄
吂mang2
朚
杧
汒mang2
蝱
釯
Words Containing This Character20
死亡sǐwángto die
伤亡shāngwángcasualties傷亡
亡wángto die
身亡to die
逃亡táowángto flee
死亡率mortality rate
灭亡mièwángto be destroyed滅亡
阵亡to die in battle陣亡
亡灵departed spirit亡靈
消亡to die out
流亡to be exiled
逃亡者runaway
亡命to flee
生死存亡matter of life and death
存亡to live or die
亡国subjugation亡國
亡羊补牢wángyángbǔláofig. to act belatedly亡羊補牢
家破人亡destitute and homeless
亡魂departed spirit
亡命之徒fugitive
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 望 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 亡
You can say '他亡了' (tā wáng le) to mean 'He has died.'
It's not commonly used in casual conversation; it's more often found in literature or formal contexts.
Synonyms include 死 (sǐ, to die) and 失 (shī, to lose).
