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文盲 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
文盲wénmángilliterateHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #14683, Very Hard
wénmáng(wen2mang2)wen mang T2
  1. 1illiterate
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March 24, 2026

文盲wénmáng(wen2mang2)

The term '文盲' (wénmáng) refers to a person who is illiterate, meaning they cannot read or write. It is often used in discussions about education and social issues, highlighting the importance of literacy in modern society and the challenges faced by those who lack it.

Strokes12Frequency#14683DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

'文盲' reflects a significant social issue in China, where literacy campaigns have been vital in improving education rates. Historical contexts, especially in rural areas, highlight the challenges faced by illiterate individuals.

Memory tip

Imagine a '文' (wén) for 'writing' and '盲' (máng) which resembles a blindfolded person. Together, you can picture a person who is blind to the written world, helping you remember that '文盲' means illiterate.

Meanings of 文盲

wénmáng(wen2mang2)
1illiterate
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 文盲

文盲Simplified
12Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 文盲

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AI study notes for 文盲

Quick Contrast

文盲 (illiterate) vs 半文盲 (semi-literate) — choose 文盲 for someone completely unable to read or write, while 半文盲 indicates limited literacy skills.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include using '文盲' incorrectly in formal contexts; it may come off as derogatory. The term is generally used in serious discussions about education and should be used with sensitivity to the audience.

HSK Study Tips

While '文盲' is not an official HSK word, it connects to vocabulary related to education and societal issues. Students should focus on the characters and their radicals, especially '文' (culture/text) and '盲' (blind) for better comprehension.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse '文盲' with '无知' (wúzhī), which means ignorant but has a broader implication. Correct usage should focus specifically on incapacity to read or write.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 文盲

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Component characters

文wénlanguage
HSK 74 strokes文
View full entry
盲mángblind
8 strokes目
View full entry

How to say illiterate in Chinese

“illiterate” in Chinese is文盲wénmáng

The term '文盲' (wénmáng) refers to a person who is illiterate, meaning they cannot read or write. It is often used in discussions about education and social issues, highlighting the importance of literacy in modern society and the challenges faced by those who lack it.

When to use 文盲

Common mistakes include using '文盲' incorrectly in formal contexts; it may come off as derogatory. The term is generally used in serious discussions about education and should be used with sensitivity to the audience.

文盲 or something close to it

文盲 (illiterate) vs 半文盲 (semi-literate) — choose 文盲 for someone completely unable to read or write, while 半文盲 indicates limited literacy skills.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes confuse '文盲' with '无知' (wúzhī), which means ignorant but has a broader implication. Correct usage should focus specifically on incapacity to read or write.

Write 文盲

文
盲

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Frequently asked questions about 文盲

'文盲' can refer to anyone, including children, but it is more commonly used in the context of adults who did not receive formal education.

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