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March 24, 2026
茫máng(mang2)
The character 茫 (máng) conveys a sense of vastness and indistinctness, often describing something that lacks clear boundaries or is difficult to grasp. It is commonly used in contexts where something feels overwhelming, unclear, or confusing, such as emotions or situations. It can also refer to physical landscapes that appear endless or vague.
Strokes9Radical艹Frequency#34374DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry and literature, the concept of vastness and indistinctness often reflects philosophical themes of nature and the human experience, emphasizing the beauty and complexity of the world.
Memory Tip
Imagine standing on a vast, foggy plain where everything looks hazy and undefined. The character 茫 has a 'grass' radical (艹) on top, symbolizing nature, and below it, the character 忙 (máng), meaning busy, which can remind you of being busy trying to find clarity in a confusing situation.
Meanings of 茫
máng(mang2)
1vast, with no clear boundary
2fig. hazy
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 茫
茫Simplified
9Strokes
艹Radical
形容词性语素xíngróngcíadjective root (adj.root)Part of Speech
#34374Frequency Rank
Podcast: 茫
Podcast: 茫
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AI Study Notes for 茫
Quick Contrast
模糊 (móhú) — use 茫 for a sense of vastness or overwhelming indistinctness, while 模糊 emphasizes blurriness or lack of clarity.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine standing on a vast, foggy plain where everything looks hazy and undefined. The character 茫 has a 'grass' radical (艹) on top, symbolizing nature, and below it, the character 忙 (máng), meaning busy, which can remind you of being busy trying to find clarity in a confusing situation.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 茫 with similar-sounding words, so it's important to practice pronunciation to avoid mixing it up with 忙 (máng), meaning busy. This character is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in literary or descriptive scenarios, and is often paired with other words to emphasize confusion or vastness.
HSK Study Tips
Although 茫 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects with themes of vastness and indistinctness found in higher-level vocabulary. Students should focus on its contextual usage and practice using it in descriptive sentences, especially in speaking.
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry and literature, the concept of vastness and indistinctness often reflects philosophical themes of nature and the human experience, emphasizing the beauty and complexity of the world.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 茫 when they mean 清楚 (qīngchǔ, clear) or 明确 (míngquè, definite). For example, saying '这个问题很茫' instead of '这个问题很清楚' (This question is very clear).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 茫
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Grammar Patterns of 茫
茫 carries 6 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
他因这番尖锐的批评而万念俱灰，____然不知所措。
He was shattered and bewildered by this trenchant criticism.
Example Sentences for 茫 (10)
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1
他因这番尖锐的批评而万念俱灰，茫然不知所措。
tā yīn zhè fān jiān ruì de pī píng ér wàn niàn jù huī， ， máng rán bù zhī suǒ。
He was shattered and bewildered by this trenchant criticism.
2
塞巴斯蒂安先生一脸茫然地看着男孩儿们。
sāi bā sī dì ān xiān shēng yī liǎn máng rán dì kàn zháo nán hái ér mén。
Mr. Sebastian was looking at the boys with a bemused expression.
It's beyond my depth when it comes to natural sciences.
8
谈到自然学科我就茫然.
tán dào zì rán xué kē wǒ jiù máng rán.
I'm beyond my depth when it comes to natural sciences.
9
苍茫辽阔的景色染上了一片瑰丽浓艳的金黄色.
cāng máng liáo kuò de jǐng sè rǎn shàng le yī piàn guī lì nóng yàn de jīn huáng sè.
The tremendous spaciousness of it was glowing with rich gold.
10
那时苍茫的暮色,已经开始把那些山谷染成一片烟霭凄迷的图画了.
nà shí cāng máng de mù sè, , yǐ jīng kāi shǐ bǎ nà xiē shān gǔ rǎn chéng yī piàn yān ǎi qī mí de tú huà.
The evening films began to make nebulous pictures of the valleys.
Cultural Notes for 茫
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese poetry and literature, the concept of vastness and indistinctness often reflects philosophical themes of nature and the human experience, emphasizing the beauty and complexity of the world.
Word Family of 茫
Words Containing This Character14
迷茫perplexed
茫茫mángmángboundless
茫然mángránblankly
渺茫uncertain
茫mángfig. hazy
苍茫vast蒼茫
白茫茫(of mist, snow, floodwater etc) a vast expanse of whiteness
雾茫茫foggy霧茫茫
暮色苍茫the hazy dusk of twilight (idiom)暮色蒼茫
茫然失措at a loss (idiom)
夜色苍茫gathering dusk夜色蒼茫
浩茫boundless
渺渺茫茫uncertain
苦海茫茫sea of bitterness is vast (idiom)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 迷茫 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 茫
You can say '他的心情很茫,' meaning 'His emotions are very vague and unclear.'
Yes, 茫 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in literature or descriptive writing.
Synonyms include 模糊 (móhú, meaning blurry) and 混乱 (hùnluàn, meaning chaotic).
