Definition
愣 (lèng) is a colloquial word with two senses: (1) as a verb/adjective meaning 'to stare blankly, be in a daze' – similar to 发呆 (fā dāi) but 愣 can be used alone as a verb; (2) as an adverb meaning 'unexpectedly, rashly' – this contrasts with 草率 (cǎo shuài 'careless') and 轻易 (qīng yì 'easily'), as 愣 emphasizes the surprising or rash nature of an action.
verb
to stare blanklyto be stupefied(adverb, colloquial) unexpectedlyrashly
adjective
blankdistractedrash
Easily confused
- 恨hènlook-aliketo hate
- 冷lěngsound-alikecold
- 怕pàlook-alike(verb) to be afraid of, to fear
Examples
- 愣，。Tā lèng zài nàli, yí jù huà yě bú shuō.He stood there blankly, not saying a word.
- 愣。Tā kàn qǐlai yǒudiǎn lèng.She looks a bit blank.
- 愣。Wǒmen lèng shì méi gǎnshàng fēijī.We unexpectedly missed the plane.
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