Definitions

méng (adjective) indistinct; unclear

Etymology phono-semantic

moon

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "朦" integrates the radical "月", representing the moon, with the component "蒙", which conveys a sense of covering or obscurity, thus etymologically linking it to the concept of dim or obscured moonlight. Initially employed in classical texts to describe the haziness of lunar light, often seen in the compound "朦胧", its meaning gradually expanded from this specific visual phenomenon to encompass a wider range of indistinct qualities, including blurred vision and vague ideas, thereby shifting from a literal reference to a more abstract adjective for anything lacking clear definition.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

月光非常胧。

Yuèguāng fēicháng ménglóng.

The moonlight is very hazy.

早晨的雾气胧。

Zǎochén de wùqì ménglóng.

The morning fog is hazy.

湖面笼罩着胧的月色。

Húmiàn lǒngzhào zhe ménglóng de yuèsè.

The lake is shrouded in hazy moonlight.

他在胧中看到一个人影。

Tā zài ménglóng zhōng kàndào yī gè rényǐng.

He saw a figure in the haze.

雨后的城市显得格外胧。

Yǔ hòu de chéngshì xiǎnde géwài ménglóng.

The city after rain appears particularly hazy.

她的记忆就像胧的梦境。

Tā de jìyì jiù xiàng ménglóng de mèngjìng.

Her memory is like a hazy dream.

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.