Meanings of 发呆
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Podcast: 发呆
Podcast: 发呆
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AI Study Notes for 发呆
发愣 (fā lèng) - use 发呆 when the focus is on being lost in thought, while 发愣 emphasizes a moment of being stunned or dazed.
Be cautious not to confuse 发呆 with similar expressions like 发愣 (fā lèng), which also means to be stunned but implies a momentary shock. 发呆 is more about being lost in thought over a longer period. This term is informal and works well in casual conversations.
As an HSK 6 word, 发呆 is useful for expressing complex emotional states. Students should focus on its nuances and practice using it in different contexts, especially in storytelling or describing situations.
Learners often confuse 发呆 with 发愣. For example, saying '我发愣在窗户旁边' (I was stunned next to the window) instead of '我发呆在窗户旁边' (I was staring blankly next to the window) misses the extended thought aspect of 发呆.
Pronunciation of 发呆
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Jason Explains 发呆 to You
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Component Characters
How to say to stare blankly in Chinese
“to stare blankly” in Chinese is发呆
发呆 (fā dāi) means to stare blankly or to be lost in thought, often suggesting a state of distraction or deep contemplation. It is commonly used in both everyday conversations and literary contexts to describe someone who appears oblivious to their surroundings or is preoccupied with their thoughts.
When to use 发呆
Be cautious not to confuse 发呆 with similar expressions like 发愣 (fā lèng), which also means to be stunned but implies a momentary shock. 发呆 is more about being lost in thought over a longer period. This term is informal and works well in casual conversations.
发呆 or something close to it
发愣 (fā lèng) - use 发呆 when the focus is on being lost in thought, while 发愣 emphasizes a moment of being stunned or dazed.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 发呆 with 发愣. For example, saying '我发愣在窗户旁边' (I was stunned next to the window) instead of '我发呆在窗户旁边' (I was staring blankly next to the window) misses the extended thought aspect of 发呆.
Write 发呆
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Practice writing 发呆 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 发呆
发呆 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 3 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.
温斯顿坐在他惯常坐的角落里, 对着一只空杯子____.
Winston sat in his usual corner, gazing into an empty glass.
Example Sentences for 发呆 (2)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 发呆
Yes, 发呆 is versatile and can be used in both spoken and written contexts, though it is more commonly heard in casual conversation.
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