惑 (huò) - To doubt & to be uncertain

惑Tone 4

huò ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

慧佳

惑 · huò

To doubt;

to be uncertain;

to be confused;

to mislead;

to delude.

To doubtto be uncertainto be confused

Usage highlights

To be confusedTo doubtTo be bewilderedTo misleadTo be temptedTo solve doubts

Synonyms

  • 疑— to doubt; to suspect
  • 迷— to be confused; to be lost
  • 惶— to be apprehensive; anxious

Antonyms

  • 明— clear; bright; to understand
  • 悟— to comprehend; to awaken
  • 解— to understand; to solve

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He was confused by the complex question (被复杂的问题所惑).
  • Don't be misled by appearances (不要被表象所惑).
  • She was doubtful about the decision (她对决定感到疑惑).
  • The magician's trick bewildered the audience (魔术师的把戏迷惑了观众).

Collocations

  • To be confused(迷惑)
  • To doubt(疑惑)
  • To be bewildered(困惑)
  • To mislead(蛊惑)
  • To be tempted(诱惑)
  • To solve doubts(解惑)

Idioms

  • Confused and not knowing which way to turn(迷惑不解)
  • To be bewildered and at a loss(惶惑不安)
  • To dispel doubts and enlighten the mind(解惑释疑)
  • To be misled by fallacies(蛊惑人心)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian thought, '惑' represents a state of intellectual or moral uncertainty that one should strive to overcome through learning.
  • The character appears in classical texts like the Analects, where Confucius discusses the importance of resolving doubt.
  • In Buddhist context, '惑' refers to delusion or ignorance that prevents enlightenment.

FAQ