Meanings of 闷
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About 闷
Podcast: 闷
Podcast: 闷
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AI Study Notes for 闷
闷 (mēn) vs 厌 (yàn) — use 闷 for feelings of stuffiness or boredom, while 厌 describes a sense of disgust or aversion.
Be mindful of the context when using 闷; it can describe both physical and emotional states. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar sounding words like 闻 (wén, to smell), and using it in overly formal contexts, as it's more informal. Typical collocations include 闷得慌 (mēn dé huāng, feeling suffocated) and 闷闷不乐 (mēn mèn bù lè, feeling gloomy).
While 闷 is not included in HSK levels, it connects to emotions and physical states found in earlier vocabulary. Students should focus on the context in which it's used and practice with phrases that convey feelings, enhancing their emotional vocabulary.
Learners often mix up 闷 with 问 (wèn, to ask), leading to confusion in conversation. Another mistake is using it too formally when describing feelings, as it is more appropriate in casual situations.
Pronunciation of 闷
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Jason Explains 闷 to You
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Learning Lab
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Etymology of 闷
Phonosemantic compound. 心 represents the meaning and 门 represents the sound. Simplified form of 悶.
heart
Origin
闷 = 心 + 门. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 闷
Parts
Which of these is part of 闷?
How to say stuffy in Chinese
“stuffy” in Chinese is闷
The character 闷 (mēn) primarily describes a feeling of stuffiness or being closed in, often used to express boredom or a sense of melancholy. It can refer to physical sensations, such as being in a stuffy room, as well as emotional states, like feeling depressed or trapped. Commonly used in informal contexts, it captures a sense of discomfort and confinement.
When to use 闷
Be mindful of the context when using 闷; it can describe both physical and emotional states. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar sounding words like 闻 (wén, to smell), and using it in overly formal contexts, as it's more informal. Typical collocations include 闷得慌 (mēn dé huāng, feeling suffocated) and 闷闷不乐 (mēn mèn bù lè, feeling gloomy).
闷 or something close to it
闷 (mēn) vs 厌 (yàn) — use 闷 for feelings of stuffiness or boredom, while 厌 describes a sense of disgust or aversion.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mix up 闷 with 问 (wèn, to ask), leading to confusion in conversation. Another mistake is using it too formally when describing feelings, as it is more appropriate in casual situations.
Write 闷
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Practice writing 闷 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 闷
闷 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 11 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
上海的夏天又____又热，稍稍一动就会出汗。
Shanghai summers are humid and hot — the slightest movement makes you sweat.
Common Confusions with 闷
Similar shape but different meaning.
Which one
Which one means “stuffy”?
Usage Notes for 闷
Be careful with the tone; '闷' (mēn) means stuffy or bored, while '闷' (mèn) means to smother.
我觉得很闷。
I feel very bored.
他把窗户闷上了。
He smothered the window.
Get it right
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我觉得很____。
I feel very bored.
Example Sentences for 闷 (16)
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Word Family of 闷
Characters with 闷
What does 焖 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 闷
Yes, you can use 闷 to describe stuffy weather, like a humid day that feels oppressive.
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