Meanings of 魘
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 魘
Podcast: 魘
Podcast: 魘
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 魘
梦 (mèng, dream) — use 魘 for nightmares specifically, while 梦 is neutral and can refer to any type of dream.
Learners often confuse 魘 with related terms for dreams like 梦 (mèng), which refers to dreams in general, not just nightmares. This character is more formal and might not be used in everyday conversation; instead, you might hear people use 噩梦 (èmèng) for 'nightmare'. Be cautious with pronunciation, as tones can change meanings.
Although 魘 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects conceptually to HSK Level 3 words like 梦 (mèng) and 恐怖 (kǒngbù). Students should focus on recognizing how 魘 conveys a more negative aspect of dreaming compared to 梦, enriching their vocabulary around sleep-related terms.
Learners often mistakenly use 魘 interchangeably with 梦 (mèng), thinking they mean the same thing. Remember, 魘 specifically refers to nightmares, whereas 梦 refers to dreams in general.
Pronunciation of 魘
Drill the tone of 魘 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 魘
Phonosemantic compound. 鬼 represents the meaning and 厌 represents the sound. Simplified form of 魘.
ghost
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 魘
Phonosemantic compound. 鬼 represents the meaning and 厌 represents the sound. Simplified form of 魘.
- 1The meaning half鬼 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half厭 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayghost
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 魘? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 魘?
Decomposition of 魘
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 魘?
How to say nightmare, bad dream in Chinese
“nightmare, bad dream” in Chinese is魘
The character 魘 (yǎn) refers to a nightmare or bad dream, often associated with feelings of fear or anxiety experienced during sleep. It can also imply a sense of being haunted or troubled by something, extending its usage beyond just the context of sleep to represent unsettling thoughts or experiences.
When to use 魘
Learners often confuse 魘 with related terms for dreams like 梦 (mèng), which refers to dreams in general, not just nightmares. This character is more formal and might not be used in everyday conversation; instead, you might hear people use 噩梦 (èmèng) for 'nightmare'. Be cautious with pronunciation, as tones can change meanings.
魘 or something close to it
梦 (mèng, dream) — use 魘 for nightmares specifically, while 梦 is neutral and can refer to any type of dream.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 魘 interchangeably with 梦 (mèng), thinking they mean the same thing. Remember, 魘 specifically refers to nightmares, whereas 梦 refers to dreams in general.
Write 魘
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 魘 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 魘
Compound Meaning
What does 梦魇 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 魘
No, 魘 is more formal and specific to literature or discussions about dreams; in casual settings, people might use more common terms.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 魘?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.