Definitions

nāng muttering, indistinct speech

Etymology phono-semantic

mouth

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "囔" is structured with the mouth radical "口" on the left and the component "囊" on the right, where "囊" functions as a phonetic element and etymologically connects to the meaning of a bag, implying sounds that are muffled or nasal as if contained within a sack. This character historically developed to denote low, indistinct vocalizations, such as muttering or mumbling, exemplified in words like "嘟囔" for speaking in a subdued manner. Its meaning has remained specifically associated with soft, nasal, or unclear speech throughout its usage.

Example Sentences Hide

了。

Bié nāngnang le.

Stop mumbling.

他在嘟着什么。

Tā zài dūnāng zhe shénme.

He is muttering something.

孩子嘟着不愿起床。

Háizi dūnāng zhe bù yuàn qǐchuáng.

The child grumbled, unwilling to get up.

她嘟了一句抱怨的话。

Tā dūnāng le yī jù bàoyuàn de huà.

She muttered a word of complaint.

老人嘴里总是个不停。

Lǎorén zuǐ lǐ zǒng shì nāngnang gè bù tíng.

The old man is always mumbling nonstop.

着没人理解他的苦衷。

Tā nāngnang zhe méi rén lǐjiě tā de kǔzhōng.

He kept grumbling that no one understood his difficulties.

哪怕你得再大声,也解决不了问题。

Nǎpà nǐ nāngnang de zài dàshēng, yě jiějué bù liǎo wèntí.

Even if you grumble louder, it won't solve the problem.

他显然不满意,一路都在着对决定的质疑。

Tā xiǎnrán bù mǎnyì, yīlù dōu zài nāngnang zhe duì juédìng de zhìyí.

He was clearly unhappy and muttered his doubts about the decision all the way.