Definitions

(noun) paste; glue
(adjective) muddled; confused
(verb) to make a living
(verb) to get burned (of food)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 糊, constructed from the semantic component 米 (rice) and the phonetic component 胡, historically originates from the context of creating viscous substances from grains, initially denoting a kind of paste or adhesive. Its meaning expanded from referring to the material itself to encompass the action of applying it, such as in pasting or sealing, and subsequently acquired metaphorical uses to describe obscurity or mental confusion, as exemplified in the compound 糊涂. Throughout its usage, the character's form has remained consistent, with its components continually reflecting its early association with culinary and practical applications while its semantic range broadened into abstract domains.

Example Sentences Hide

他今天很涂。

Tā jīntiān hěn hútu.

He is very confused today.

这碗粥煮了。

Zhè wǎn zhōu zhǔ hú le.

This bowl of porridge is burnt.

照片看起来有点模

Zhàopiàn kàn qǐlái yǒudiǎn móhu.

The photo looks a bit blurry.

他把墙上了报纸。

Tā bǎ qiáng hú shàngle bàozhǐ.

He pasted newspaper onto the wall.

他勉强口,生活艰辛。

Tā miǎnqiǎng húkǒu, shēnghuó jiānxīn.

He barely makes a living, and life is tough.

别用这种借口来弄我。

Bié yòng zhè zhǒng jièkǒu lái hùnong wǒ.

Don't use that kind of excuse to fool me.

艺术家正在仔细地裱这幅画。

Yìshùjiā zhèngzài zǐxì de biǎohú zhè fú huà.

The artist is carefully mounting this painting.

复杂的行政程序常使人陷入文牍主义的涂账里。

Fùzá de xíngzhèng chéngxù cháng shǐ rén xiànrù wéndú zhǔyì de hútuzhàng lǐ.

Complex administrative procedures often mire people in the confusing mess of bureaucratism.