濫 (làn) - excessive & indiscriminate

濫Tone 4

làn ｜ 17 strokes ｜ radical:

俊梁

濫 · làn

excessive;

indiscriminate;

flood;

overflow;

to abuse;

to misuse

excessiveindiscriminateflood

Usage highlights

excessiveoverflowindiscriminateexcessive praiseabuse of powerexcessive fines

Synonyms

  • 泛— to flood; to spread
  • 过— excessive; over
  • 多— many; much

Antonyms

  • 节— to economize; to restrain
  • 省— to save; to reduce
  • 控— to control

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The river overflowed its banks (河水泛滥).
  • They abuse their power (滥用权力).
  • This is indiscriminate logging (滥伐森林).
  • He fills a post without qualifications (滥竽充数).

Collocations

  • excessive(滥用)
  • overflow(泛滥)
  • indiscriminate(滥伐)
  • excessive praise(滥美)
  • abuse of power(滥权)
  • excessive fines(滥罚)

Idioms

  • fill a post without qualifications(滥竽充数)
  • excessive and indiscriminate(泛滥成灾)
  • promote people indiscriminately(滥官污吏)
  • excessive praise(陈词滥调)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted water overflowing, representing excess and lack of control.
  • In Confucian thought, represents going beyond proper bounds and moderation.
  • The idiom '滥竽充数' warns against filling positions with unqualified people.

FAQ