Meanings of 魇
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About 魇
Podcast: 魇
Podcast: 魇
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AI Study Notes for 魇
梦 (mèng, dream) — use 魇 when specifically referring to a nightmare, while 梦 is a general term for any dream.
Imagine a dark, shadowy figure (the character 魇) creeping into your dreams at night, whispering nightmares into your ear. The left side resembles a ghostly figure, suggesting something eerie, while the right side hints at the dream's intangible nature.
Although 魇 is a recognized term, it is less commonly used in everyday conversation compared to simpler terms for 'dream' (梦, mèng). Be cautious with the tone; it is pronounced with a third tone (yǎn), which can be mistaken for the second tone if not careful.
This character is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, but it connects to related words like 梦 (mèng, dream) and 觉 (jué, to feel or perceive). Focus on understanding its context in literature and its emotional nuances.
Nightmares and their interpretations play a significant role in traditional Chinese beliefs, where they are often associated with the state of one's spirit or health, reflecting the importance of mental well-being in Chinese culture.
Learners often confuse 魇 with 梦, using it incorrectly in contexts where the general term for 'dream' is more appropriate. For example, saying '我昨晚做了一个梦' (I had a dream last night) is correct, but using 魇 in this context may imply an unpleasant experience.
Pronunciation of 魇
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Etymology of 魇
Phonosemantic compound. 鬼 represents the meaning and 厌 represents the sound. Simplified form of 魘.
ghost
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 魇?
Decomposition of 魇
Identify the Components
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Write 魇
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Practice writing 魇 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 魇
魇 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 2 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.
Complete the Sentence
他睿智刁钻，评论尖刻，对任何采访他的人而言都是梦____。
His abrasive wit and caustic comments were an interviewer's nightmare.
Example Sentences for 魇 (2)
Cultural Notes for 魇
Nightmares and their interpretations play a significant role in traditional Chinese beliefs, where they are often associated with the state of one's spirit or health, reflecting the importance of mental well-being in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 魇
Compound Meaning
What does 梦魇 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 魇
You can say, '我昨晚做了一个魇,' which means 'I had a nightmare last night.'