烟雾弥漫 (yān wù mí màn) — (set phrase) be filled with smoke and mist; (figurative) be in a state of confusion or uncertainty

Definition

Literally 'smoke and mist fill the air.' Often used literally (a foggy valley, a fire scene) and figuratively for an atmosphere thick with confusion or secrecy (e.g. a tense negotiation).

idiom
(set phrase) be filled with smoke and mist(figurative) be in a state of confusion or uncertainty

Examples

  • 烟雾弥漫，。
    Huǒ zāi xiàn chǎng yān wù mí màn, xiāo fáng yuán hěn nán kàn qīng chǔ.
    The fire scene was filled with thick smoke, making it hard for firefighters to see clearly.
  • 烟雾弥漫，。
    Qīng chén de shān gǔ lǐ yān wù mí màn, xiàng shì xiān jìng yí yàng.
    In the early morning, the valley was enveloped in mist, like a fairyland.
  • 烟雾弥漫，。
    Tán pàn zhuō shàng yān wù mí màn, shuāng fāng dōu bù qīng chǔ duì fāng de zhēn zhèng yì tú.
    At the negotiation table, the atmosphere was clouded with uncertainty, and neither side knew the other's true intentions.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
主谓zhǔwèiSubject + predicate

A small sentence frozen into a word: something, and what it does or is.

烟雾smoke and fog
烟yānsmoke雾wùfog
联合Side by side
弥漫fill and spread
弥mífill漫mànspread
联合Side by side

“烟雾” names smoke and fog, and “弥漫” adds the sense of filling and spreading everywhere.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 煙; 烟 is its simplified writing.

The simplified 烟 stands for more than one traditional character. In most words (烟) it is 煙; in others it is 菸.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
火火huǒfire
Sound part声符shēngfú
垔
垔yīn煙yān
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

This story is about the traditional form 煙, not the simplified 烟. It pairs 火, fire, with 垔, which gives the sound.

Open 烟 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 霧; 雾 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
雨雨yǔrain
Sound part声符shēngfú
務
務wù霧wù
Same sound today

In the traditional form 霧, 雨, rain, is on top and 務 below gives the sound; the simplified 雾 is a shorthand.

Open 雾 →

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
弓弓gōngbow
Sound part声符shēngfú
尔
尔ěr弥mí
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The shape of 弥 pairs 弓 (bow) as its meaning part with 尔 as its sound part.

Open 弥 →

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
氵Written in full as水shuǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
曼
曼màn漫
Same sound today

漫 uses 氵 (water) and 曼 for the sound; 曼 also means “vast, extended,” showing water spread out or overflowing.

Open 漫 →

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