威猛 (wēi měng) — brave and fierce (in appearance or demeanor); domineering, imposing (sometimes with a negative connotation)

Definition

Describes a powerful, imposing presence — a tall general, a roaring lion, a commanding voice. Often carries a sense of awe or even intimidation rather than pure strength.

adjective
brave and fierce (in appearance or demeanor)domineeringimposing (sometimes with a negative connotation)

Examples

  • ,威猛。
    Nà wèi jiāng jūn shēn cái gāo dà, kàn qǐ lái shí fēn wēi měng.
    That general is tall and big, looking very imposing and fierce.
  • 威猛,。
    Tā shuō huà de yǔ qì wēi měng, ràng rén bù gǎn fǎn bó.
    His tone of voice was domineering, making people dare not refute him.
  • 威猛,。
    Zhè tóu xióng shī kàn qǐ lái fēi cháng wēi měng, bú kuì shì sēn lín zhī wáng.
    This male lion looks very fierce and majestic, truly the king of the forest.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

威wēiimposing
猛měngfierce

威 means imposing and 猛 means fierce, so together they describe brave and fierce.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

威 is made by combining 戌 and 女.

Open 威 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
Sound part声符shēngfú
孟
Same sound today

猛 pairs 犬 (dog) with 孟, and 孟 gives the sound.

Open 猛 →

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