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蛮 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
蛮
mán
barbarian
HSK 7, d, 12 strokes, radical 虫, rank #3150, Very Hard
蛮
mán
bullying
HSK 7, d, 12 strokes, radical 虫, rank #3150, Very Hard
蛮
mán
very
HSK 7, d, 12 strokes, radical 虫, rank #3150, Very Hard
蛮
mán
quite
HSK 7, d, 12 strokes, radical 虫, rank #3150, Very Hard
蛮
mán
rough
HSK 7, d, 12 strokes, radical 虫, rank #3150, Very Hard
蛮
mán
reckless
HSK 7, d, 12 strokes, radical 虫, rank #3150, Very Hard
蛮
mán
barbarians; barbarous, rude, savage
HSK 7, d, 12 strokes, radical 虫, rank #3150, Very Hard
mán(man2)man T2
1barbarian
2bullying
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March 24, 2026
蛮(蠻)mán(man2)
The character 蛮 (mán) can refer to a barbarian or someone who is rough and reckless. In modern usage, it often describes behavior that is rude or bullying, as well as emphasizing a degree of something, such as 'very' or 'quite.' Its nuances range from describing a lack of civility to emphasizing a strong degree of an adjective.
Strokes12Radical虫Frequency#3150DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the term 蛮 can evoke historical references to the 'barbarians' from the north or south, which were often seen as uncivilized compared to the Han Chinese. This historical context adds depth to its meaning, reflecting long-standing cultural attitudes.
Memory tip
Imagine a bull (representing '蛮' as strong and rough) charging through a quiet village. The loud 'm' sound of 'mán' connects to the sound of the bull's stampede, making it easy to remember that this character signifies a rough, barbaric nature.
Meanings of 蛮
mán(man2)
1barbarian
2bullying
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 蛮
蛮Simplified
蠻Traditional
12Strokes
虫Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#3150Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 蛮
Podcast: 蛮
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AI study notes for 蛮
Quick Contrast
蛮 (mán) vs 粗 (cū) — use 蛮 for emphasizing a strong degree or rudeness, while 粗 refers specifically to roughness or coarseness in texture or behavior.
Usage Notes
Be mindful that 蛮 can have a negative connotation, especially in interpersonal contexts. It is often used informally and may not be suitable for formal writing. Common collocations include 蛮横 (mánhéng - bullying) and 蛮干 (mángàn - to act recklessly).
HSK Study Tips
While 蛮 is not specifically categorized under HSK levels, learners should note it can be useful in expressing degrees of adjectives. Focus on how it pairs with other adjectives to enhance your descriptive abilities in Mandarin.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 蛮 with 盲 (máng, meaning 'blind'). For instance, saying '他蛮目' (Tā mán mù) instead of '他盲目' (Tā mángmù) could lead to misunderstandings, as the meanings differ significantly.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蛮
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The character 蛮 (mán) can refer to a barbarian or someone who is rough and reckless. In modern usage, it often describes behavior that is rude or bullying, as well as emphasizing a degree of something, such as 'very' or 'quite.' Its nuances range from describing a lack of civility to emphasizing a strong degree of an adjective.
When to use 蛮
Be mindful that 蛮 can have a negative connotation, especially in interpersonal contexts. It is often used informally and may not be suitable for formal writing. Common collocations include 蛮横 (mánhéng - bullying) and 蛮干 (mángàn - to act recklessly).
蛮 or something close to it
蛮 (mán) vs 粗 (cū) — use 蛮 for emphasizing a strong degree or rudeness, while 粗 refers specifically to roughness or coarseness in texture or behavior.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 蛮 with 盲 (máng, meaning 'blind'). For instance, saying '他蛮目' (Tā mán mù) instead of '他盲目' (Tā mángmù) could lead to misunderstandings, as the meanings differ significantly.
Write 蛮
蛮
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Grammar patterns of 蛮
蛮 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 7 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.
