unknown, 10 strokes, radical 艹, rank #32418, Very Hard
莽
mǎng
luxuriant growth
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 艹, rank #32418, Very Hard
莽
mǎng
Illicium anisatum, a shrub with poisonous leaves
unknown, 10 strokes, radical 艹, rank #32418, Very Hard
mǎng(mang3) T3
1thicket, underbrush; rude, impertinent
2thick weeds
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March 24, 2026
莽mǎng(mang3)
The character 莽 (mǎng) primarily refers to a thicket or underbrush, often indicating a dense area filled with thick weeds. It can also describe a state of rudeness or impertinence in behavior, suggesting a lack of refinement or sophistication in one's actions or speech.
Strokes10Radical艹Frequency#32418DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, dense thickets and underbrush can be symbolic of untamed nature, often referenced in poetry and literature to convey themes of wildness or the untamed spirit. Additionally, the connotation of rudeness reflects cultural values around politeness and propriety in social interactions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a dense forest where plants grow wildly and chaotically, representing the 'thicket' aspect of 莽. The character has the radical for grass (艹) at the top, symbolizing lush growth, while the bottom part can be visualized as a person who is too 'rude' to properly navigate through the underbrush.
Meanings of 莽
mǎng(mang3)
1thicket, underbrush; rude, impertinent
2thick weeds
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 莽
莽Simplified
10Strokes
艹Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 莽
Podcast: 莽
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AI Study Notes for 莽
Quick Contrast
莽 (mǎng) vs 粗 (cū) — choose 莽 to emphasize a lack of refinement in behavior or speech, while 粗 highlights roughness or coarseness in texture or manner.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a dense forest where plants grow wildly and chaotically, representing the 'thicket' aspect of 莽. The character has the radical for grass (艹) at the top, symbolizing lush growth, while the bottom part can be visualized as a person who is too 'rude' to properly navigate through the underbrush.
Usage Notes
莽 is more commonly used in informal contexts, often to describe unruly behavior or environments. A common mistake is using it in overly formal situations; instead, it is best suited for casual conversations. Be careful with the tone; 'mǎng' is pronounced with a falling tone, which can lead to confusion with other similar-sounding characters.
HSK Study Tips
Although 莽 is not included in the HSK list, it connects well with other vocabulary related to nature and behavior. Students at this level should focus on the nuances of describing environments and personalities using similar adjectives.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, dense thickets and underbrush can be symbolic of untamed nature, often referenced in poetry and literature to convey themes of wildness or the untamed spirit. Additionally, the connotation of rudeness reflects cultural values around politeness and propriety in social interactions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 莽 with other characters that have similar pronunciations or meanings, such as 忙 (máng, busy). A common mistake is saying '我很忙' (I am very rude) instead of '我很莽'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 莽
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Grammar Patterns of 莽
莽 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 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
所以我们不要鲁____行事。毕竟他是跑不掉的。
So let's not be hasty. After all, he can't run away.
"You are rude and obtrusive, Mr Galbraith," said Tommy.
8
莽撞之下，克鲁克问了她当时在哪里。
mǎng zhuàng zhī xià， ， kè lǔ kè wèn le tā dāng shí zài nǎ。
Incautiously, Crook had asked where she was.
9
她鲁莽的态度让克罗斯感到有点吃惊。
tā lǔ mǎng de tài dù ràng kè luó sī gǎn dào yǒu diǎn chī jīng。
Cross was a little taken aback by her abrupt manner.
10
他开车太鲁莽,结果撞到一棵树上,最终进了医院.
tā kāi chē tài lǔ mǎng, , jié guǒ zhuàng dào yī kē shù, shàng , zuì zhōng jìn le.
He drove so recklessly that he collided with a tree and landed up in hospital.
Cultural Notes for 莽
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, dense thickets and underbrush can be symbolic of untamed nature, often referenced in poetry and literature to convey themes of wildness or the untamed spirit. Additionally, the connotation of rudeness reflects cultural values around politeness and propriety in social interactions.
Word Family of 莽
Words Containing This Character10
鲁莽lǔmǎnghot-headed魯莽
莽撞rude and impetuous
莽mǎngthick weeds
王莽Wang Mang (45 BC-23 AD), usurped power and reigned 9-23 between the former and later Han
卤莽hot-headed鹵莽
草莽wilderness
莽汉fool莽漢
苍莽boundless蒼莽
莽草Chinese anise (Ilicium anisatum, a shrub with poisonous leaves)
粗莽brusque
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 鲁莽 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 莽
In addition to referring to underbrush, 莽 can describe a person who is rude or impertinent, indicating a rough or uncivilized character.
You can use 莽 to describe a wild area in nature, such as '这片莽丛很难走' (This thicket is hard to walk through), or to comment on someone's behavior, like '他的行为真莽' (His behavior is really rude).
莽 is not one of the most commonly used words, but it can be found in literature and discussions about nature or personality traits.
