朦

méng

月 + 蒙

Definitions

méng (adjective) indistinct; unclear

Etymology phono-semantic

moon

Semantic: 月 Phonetic: 蒙

About

The character 朦 is structured as a phono-semantic compound: the left-side moon radical 月 ties it to nighttime, lunar light, or dim evening conditions; the right-side component 蒙 serves as the phonetic and also independently means covering or blindness, reinforcing the idea of obscured sight. Its primary meaning is a hazy, obscured visibility, like moonlight veiled by cloud or mist. From this literal dimness, the meaning broadened to describe vague or ambiguous psychological states, such as half-concealed memories. It is used almost exclusively in compound words for blurry scenes, indistinct memories, or situations where details remain out of focus.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

月光非常朦胧。

Yuèguāng fēicháng ménglóng.

The moonlight is very hazy.

早晨的雾气朦胧。

Zǎochén de wùqì ménglóng.

The morning fog is hazy.

湖面笼罩着朦胧的月色。

Húmiàn lǒngzhào zhe ménglóng de yuèsè.

The lake is shrouded in hazy moonlight.

他在朦胧中看到一个人影。

Tā zài ménglóng zhōng kàndào yī gè rényǐng.

He saw a figure in the haze.

雨后的城市显得格外朦胧。

Yǔ hòu de chéngshì xiǎnde géwài ménglóng.

The city after rain appears particularly hazy.

她的记忆就像朦胧的梦境。

Tā de jìyì jiù xiàng ménglóng de mèngjìng.

Her memory is like a hazy dream.

在朦胧的灯光下，他读完了那封信。

Zài ménglóng de dēngguāng xià, tā dú wánle nà fēng xìn.

Under the dim light, he finished reading the letter.

尽管天色朦胧，他们还是决定继续登山。

Jǐnguǎn tiānsè ménglóng, tāmen háishì juédìng jìxù dēngshān.

Although the sky was hazy, they still decided to continue climbing the mountain.

Related Characters

Component: 月

Component: 蒙

朦