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陌生 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
陌生
mòshēng
strange
HSK 5, n, 13 strokes, rank #4385, Hard
陌生
mòshēng
unfamiliar
HSK 5, n, 13 strokes, rank #4385, Hard
mòshēng(mo4sheng1)mo sheng T4
1strange
2unfamiliar
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March 24, 2026
陌生mòshēng(mo4sheng1)
The word 陌生 (mòshēng) refers to something or someone that is unfamiliar or strange. It is commonly used to express feelings of being in an unfamiliar environment or encountering people you do not know, often evoking a sense of discomfort or curiosity.
Strokes13Frequency#4385DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese society, the concept of being 陌生 can relate to the importance of community and familiarity; people often feel uncomfortable in unfamiliar places, which highlights the value placed on social connections.
Memory tip
Imagine walking down a road (陌) where every face you see is strange (生). The character 陌 combines the radical for 'road' with 'life', suggesting a journey where you encounter unfamiliar lives. Think of 'mò' as the 'mo' in 'mysterious' to help remember its meaning.
Meanings of 陌生
mòshēng(mo4sheng1)
1strange
2unfamiliar
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About 陌生
陌生Simplified
13Strokes
—Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#4385Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 陌生
Podcast: 陌生
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AI study notes for 陌生
Quick Contrast
生疏 (shēngshū) - use 陌生 for unfamiliarity in people or environments, while 生疏 emphasizes lack of familiarity or skill.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 陌生 with 生疏 (shēngshū), which also means unfamiliar but implies a loss of familiarity over time. 陌生 is more about immediate unfamiliarity, while 生疏 suggests a past connection. It is used in both formal and informal contexts.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 陌生 connects with other words describing experiences or feelings, such as 熟悉 (shúxī, familiar). Focus on using it in sentences describing new experiences or environments to solidify understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 陌生 with the word 生疏, mistakenly using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我对这个城市生疏' (wǒ duì zhège chéngshì shēngshū) is incorrect; instead, use '我对这个城市陌生'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 陌生
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The word 陌生 (mòshēng) refers to something or someone that is unfamiliar or strange. It is commonly used to express feelings of being in an unfamiliar environment or encountering people you do not know, often evoking a sense of discomfort or curiosity.
When to use 陌生
Be cautious not to confuse 陌生 with 生疏 (shēngshū), which also means unfamiliar but implies a loss of familiarity over time. 陌生 is more about immediate unfamiliarity, while 生疏 suggests a past connection. It is used in both formal and informal contexts.
陌生 or something close to it
生疏 (shēngshū) - use 陌生 for unfamiliarity in people or environments, while 生疏 emphasizes lack of familiarity or skill.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 陌生 with the word 生疏, mistakenly using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我对这个城市生疏' (wǒ duì zhège chéngshì shēngshū) is incorrect; instead, use '我对这个城市陌生'.
Write 陌生
陌
生
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Grammar patterns of 陌生
陌生 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 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.
