蒙 (méng) - To cover & to deceive

蒙Tone 2

méng ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

伦妙

蒙 · méng

To cover;

to deceive;

ignorant;

to receive;

to bear;

Mongolia;

refers to the Mongol ethnic group.

To coverto deceiveignorant

Usage highlights

To coverTo deceiveIgnorantTo receiveMongoliaMongolian

Synonyms

  • 盖— to cover
  • 蔽— to cover, to hide
  • 瞒— to deceive, to hide the truth

Antonyms

  • 揭— to uncover, to expose
  • 明— bright, clear
  • 悟— to understand, to awaken

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The sky was covered with dark clouds (蒙上乌云).
  • He was deceived by the scam (被诈骗蒙骗).
  • She received help from a friend (蒙朋友相助).
  • He bears a heavy responsibility (蒙受重任).
  • I am ignorant about this matter (对此事蒙昧无知).

Collocations

  • To cover(蒙上)
  • To deceive(蒙骗)
  • Ignorant(蒙昧)
  • To receive(蒙受)
  • Mongolia(蒙古)
  • Mongolian(蒙古人)

Idioms

  • To deceive oneself and others(自欺欺人)
  • To be in a daze(蒙头转向)
  • To cover one's ears while stealing a bell(掩耳盗铃)
  • To be kept in the dark(蒙在鼓里)
  • To throw dust in someone's eyes(蒙混过关)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically associated with the Mongol ethnic group and the Yuan dynasty.
  • In Confucian classics, '蒙' refers to the initial, ignorant state of a child, hence its use in education (e.g., 启蒙).
  • Used in the name of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (内蒙古).

FAQ