adorable (loanword from Japanese 萌え moe, slang describing affection for a cute character)
v, 11 strokes, radical 艹, rank #19985, Hard
萌
méng
bud, germ, sprout; to bud
v, 11 strokes, radical 艹, rank #19985, Hard
méng(meng2) T2
1to sprout
2to bud
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March 24, 2026
萌méng(meng2)
The character 萌 (méng) primarily means 'to sprout' or 'to bud', commonly used in botanical contexts. It also carries a slang connotation of having a strong affection for something cute or adorable, often derived from Japanese culture, particularly in anime and manga fandoms. This dual usage makes it popular in informal conversations among younger generations.
Strokes11Radical艹Frequency#19985DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In contemporary Chinese culture, 萌 has gained popularity through the influence of Japanese otaku culture, where it describes a deep affection for cute characters. This term has transcended its original botanical meaning to become a staple in fandom lexicons.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sprout (萌) emerging from the ground, symbolizing growth and new beginnings. The character consists of the radical for 'grass' (艹) on top, representing plant life, and the bottom part (萌) resembles a bud, making it easy to remember that it relates to sprouting. Think of '萌' as a sprout that captures your affection, just like how cute characters can capture one's heart.
Meanings of 萌
méng(meng2)
1to sprout
2to bud
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 萌
萌Simplified
11Strokes
艹Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#19985Frequency Rank
Podcast: 萌
Podcast: 萌
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AI Study Notes for 萌
Quick Contrast
萌 (méng) vs 发芽 (fāyá) — use 萌 for cute or affectionate contexts, while 发芽 is strictly botanical.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a sprout (萌) emerging from the ground, symbolizing growth and new beginnings. The character consists of the radical for 'grass' (艹) on top, representing plant life, and the bottom part (萌) resembles a bud, making it easy to remember that it relates to sprouting. Think of '萌' as a sprout that captures your affection, just like how cute characters can capture one's heart.
Usage Notes
Be mindful that 萌 is often used in informal settings, especially among younger people. It can be misused in formal conversations, where a more standard term for affection should be applied. Common collocations include '萌萌的' (méngméng de) meaning 'adorable' or 'cute'.
HSK Study Tips
While 萌 is not currently listed in HSK levels, it connects well with vocabulary related to feelings and nature, making it useful for learners at intermediate levels. Focus on its informal usage and the cultural context surrounding it, especially in discussions about anime or cute characters.
Cultural Note
In contemporary Chinese culture, 萌 has gained popularity through the influence of Japanese otaku culture, where it describes a deep affection for cute characters. This term has transcended its original botanical meaning to become a staple in fandom lexicons.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 萌 with the standard term for love, 爱 (ài). For instance, saying '我爱这个角色' (wǒ ài zhège juésè) is appropriate in formal contexts, but using '我萌这个角色' (wǒ méng zhège juésè) is more suitable for casual conversations about affection for characters.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 萌
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Grammar Patterns of 萌
萌 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 5
Complete the Sentence
自从他来上大学后，我就对他春心____动。
I've had the hots for him ever since he came to college.
Example Sentences for 萌 (4)
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1
自从他来上大学后，我就对他春心萌动。
zì cóng tā lái shàng dà xué hòu， ， wǒ jiù duì tā chūn xīn méng。
I've had the hots for him ever since he came to college.
2
她萌生出撰写系列小说的想法。
tā méng shēng chū zhuàn xiě xì liè xiǎo shuō de xiǎng fǎ。
She had conceived the idea of a series of novels.
3
这些发展早在十多年前的萌芽阶段就已预见到。
zhè xiē fā zhǎn zǎo zài shí duō nián qián de méng yá jiē duàn jiù yǐ yù jiàn dào。
These developments were foreseen in embryo more than a decade ago.
4
今年树萌芽得早.
jīn nián shù méng yá dé zǎo.
The trees are budding early this year.
Cultural Notes for 萌
🏮Cultural insight
In contemporary Chinese culture, 萌 has gained popularity through the influence of Japanese otaku culture, where it describes a deep affection for cute characters. This term has transcended its original botanical meaning to become a staple in fandom lexicons.
Word Family of 萌
Compounds1
橗
Words Containing This Character9
萌méngto bud
萌芽méngyáto bud
萌生to burgeon
萌发méngfāto sprout萌發
萌动to sprout萌動
故态复萌to revert to old ways故態復萌
复萌to germinate again復萌
萌渚岭Mengzhu mountain range between south Hunan and Guangxi萌渚嶺
旧态复萌to revert to old ways舊態復萌
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 萌 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 萌
In slang, 萌 refers to having a strong affection for something or someone cute, often used in contexts discussing anime or adorable characters.
No, 萌 is primarily informal and should be avoided in formal contexts where more standard terms for affection are preferred.
You can say '这只小猫真萌' (zhè zhī xiǎo māo zhēn méng), which means 'This little cat is so cute!'
