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March 24, 2026
妄wàng(wang4)
The character 妄 (wàng) refers to actions or thoughts that are considered absurd, rash, or presumptuous. It is commonly used to describe behavior that is reckless or based on unrealistic expectations. In contexts where caution or reason is expected, using 妄 can emphasize the foolishness of someone's actions or beliefs.
Strokes6Radical女Frequency#10623DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature and philosophy, 妄 often appears in discussions about the dangers of unrealistic thinking and the importance of prudence. This reflects a cultural value placed on wisdom and caution in decision-making.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person (the character's components) making a wild and absurd claim, like saying they can fly by simply wishing it. The top part resembles a woman's radical (女), suggesting that this 'fantastic' idea is as unrealistic as a fairy tale told by a woman. Tie the sound 'wàng' to 'wonders' that are not grounded in reality.
Meanings of 妄
wàng(wang4)
1absurd
2fantastic
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 妄
妄Simplified
6Strokes
女Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#10623Frequency Rank
Podcast: 妄
Podcast: 妄
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AI Study Notes for 妄
Quick Contrast
妄 (wàng) vs 荒 (huāng) — use 妄 for absurd or rash actions, while 荒 refers to something wild or desolate.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person (the character's components) making a wild and absurd claim, like saying they can fly by simply wishing it. The top part resembles a woman's radical (女), suggesting that this 'fantastic' idea is as unrealistic as a fairy tale told by a woman. Tie the sound 'wàng' to 'wonders' that are not grounded in reality.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to use 妄 in overly formal contexts as it may sound harsh or critical. It often collocates with words like 妄想 (wàngxiǎng, 'fantasy') and 妄为 (wàngwéi, 'act recklessly'). Remember to use the third tone (wàng) to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
While 妄 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it relates to other level-appropriate words that express thoughts and actions, such as 想 (xiǎng, 'think') and 乱 (luàn, 'chaotic'). Focus on understanding how 妄 can amplify the meaning of these words in sentences.
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature and philosophy, 妄 often appears in discussions about the dangers of unrealistic thinking and the importance of prudence. This reflects a cultural value placed on wisdom and caution in decision-making.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 妄 with similar-sounding characters like 忘 (wàng, 'forget'). For example, saying '我妄了' (wǒ wàngle) to mean 'I forgot' is incorrect; the correct form would be '我忘了' (wǒ wàngle).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 妄
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Grammar Patterns of 妄
妄 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 5 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
勃朗宁的预测不过是____加猜测而已。
Browning's prediction is no better than a wild guess.
Example Sentences for 妄 (9)
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1
勃朗宁的预测不过是妄加猜测而已。
bó lǎng níng de yù cè bù guò shì wàng jiā cāi cè ér yǐ。
Browning's prediction is no better than a wild guess.
The minister's speech sounded quite different when the newspapers had mauled it about.
8
出了个胆大妄为的乖张孩子当然令整个家族坐立不安.
chū le gè dǎn dà wàng wéi de guāi zhāng hái zǐ dāng rán líng zhěng gè jiā zú zuò lì bù ān.
When one of the boys become a radical , the family was deeply jolted.
9
智慧恨恶骄傲、狂妄 、 恶道和乖翏的口.
zhì huì hèn è jiāo ào、 、 kuáng、 wàng 、 è dào hé guāi liù.
Wisdom hates pride and arrogance, evil be haviore and perverse speech.
Cultural Notes for 妄
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese literature and philosophy, 妄 often appears in discussions about the dangers of unrealistic thinking and the importance of prudence. This reflects a cultural value placed on wisdom and caution in decision-making.
Word Family of 妄
Compounds1
侫
Words Containing This Character20
妄想wàngxiǎngdelusion
妄wàngabsurd
妄图to try in vain妄圖
狂妄egotistical
轻举妄动to act blindly without thinking (idiom)輕舉妄動
痴心妄想wishful thinking
狂妄自大arrogant and conceited
虚妄fabricated虛妄
妄动to rush indiscriminately into action妄動
胆大妄为daring膽大妄為
妄自菲薄to be unduly humble (idiom)
妄自尊大ridiculous self-importance (idiom); arrogance
妄言lies
妄称to make a false and unwarranted declaration妄稱
妄为to take rash action妄為
恣意妄为to behave unscrupulously恣意妄為
妄念wild fantasy
肆意妄为to behave unscrupulously肆意妄為
妄语to tell lies妄語
妄求inappropriate or presumptuous demands
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 妄想 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 妄
You can use 妄 in a sentence like '他的妄想让人担心' (tā de wàngxiǎng ràng rén dānxīn), meaning 'His fantasies worry people.'
Synonyms include 疯狂 (fēngkuáng, 'crazy') and 胡乱 (húluàn, 'recklessly').
Generally, 妄 carries a negative connotation, so it's typically not used in positive contexts.
