About
The character 蛮 is a phono-semantic compound with distinct traditional and simplified forms. The traditional form 蠻 uses the radical 虫 (chóng, insect/reptile) for its semantic category and the complex component 䜌 (luán) for its phonetic value. The simplified form 蛮 keeps the 虫 radical but replaces the upper section with 亦 (yì). Historically, it served as a derogatory term used by central Chinese states for southern non-Han ethnic groups, associating them with wilderness. Over time, its meaning expanded to describe behavior as rough, unreasonable, or uncultured. In modern colloquial usage, it often functions as an adverb meaning "quite" or "very".
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这个苹果蛮甜的。
他做事蛮认真的。
今天的天气蛮不错的。
这个地方离市中心蛮远的。
她对这个建议蛮感兴趣的。
用蛮力解决不了所有问题。
古代中原人称南方部族为南蛮。
他那种蛮不讲理的态度让人无法沟通。