昧 (mèi) - dark & obscure

昧Tone 4

mèi ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

伦妙

昧 · mèi

dark;

obscure;

ignorant;

to conceal;

rash;

to slight

darkobscureignorant

Usage highlights

ignorant and stupiddark and obscurerash and presumptuousconceal the truthslight someone's kindnessunclear principles

Synonyms

  • 暗— dark; dim
  • 愚— foolish; stupid
  • 隐— conceal; hide

Antonyms

  • 明— bright; clear; understand
  • 智— wise; intelligent
  • 显— obvious; apparent

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He was ignorant of the facts (昧于事实).
  • The room was dark and gloomy (房间很幽昧).
  • Don't be ignorant of right and wrong (不要是非不分，愚昧无知).
  • She made a rash decision (她做了个冒昧的决定).

Collocations

  • ignorant and stupid(愚昧)
  • dark and obscure(幽昧)
  • rash and presumptuous(冒昧)
  • conceal the truth(昧良心)
  • slight someone's kindness(昧恩)
  • unclear principles(昧于大理)

Idioms

  • Ignorant of the ways of the world(不谙世事，蒙昧无知)
  • Conceal one's conscience and do evil(昧良心做事)
  • Be ungrateful and forget favors(忘恩负义，昧却前恩)
  • Act rashly without considering propriety(冒昧行事，不顾礼节)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted the sun not yet risen or hidden, representing darkness and obscurity.
  • In Confucian ethics, '昧良心' (concealing conscience) is a serious moral failing.
  • Used in classical texts to describe both physical darkness and mental ignorance.

FAQ