萌 (méng) - sprout, bud & to sprout

萌Tone 2

méng ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

伦妙

萌 · méng

sprout, bud;

to sprout;

to germinate;

to begin to develop;

cute, adorable (modern usage);

to be infatuated with (internet slang).

sprout, budto sproutto germinate

Usage highlights

sproutcutebudcute petadorable lookbegin to develop

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 枯— withered, dried up
  • 丑— ugly

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The seeds have sprouted (种子萌发了).
  • She has a cute, adorable look (她长得很萌).
  • A budding idea (一个萌生的想法).
  • He is infatuated with his new hobby (他对新爱好很萌).

Collocations

  • sprout(萌发)
  • cute(萌的)
  • bud(萌芽)
  • cute pet(萌宠)
  • adorable look(萌态)
  • begin to develop(萌生)

Idioms

  • See the sprouts and know the harvest(见萌而知其未良)
  • The bud of an idea(思想的萌芽)
  • Friend zone(卖萌)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally meant 'sprout' or 'bud' in classical Chinese, symbolizing beginning and potential.
  • In modern usage, adopted from Japanese anime/manga subculture 'moe' (萌え) meaning 'adorable' or 'infatuating'.
  • Now widely used in internet slang to describe cuteness or being infatuated with someone/something.

FAQ