(wàng) — prosperous; thriving; vigorous (used for business, fire, plants, energy, etc.)

Definition

Use 旺 for raw, vigorous energy — roaring fire, blooming flowers, booming business. Unlike 繁荣 or 兴盛, which describe a flourishing STATE, 旺 emphasizes the lively force behind it.

adjective
prosperousthrivingvigorous (used for business, fire, plants, energy, etc.)

Examples

  • Tā gōng sī de shēng yì zuì jìn hěn wàng.
    His company's business is booming lately.
  • Lú zi lǐ de huǒ shāo dé hěn wàng.
    The fire in the stove is burning very strongly.
  • Jīn nián yuàn zi lǐ de huā kāi dé zhēn wàng.
    The flowers in the yard are blooming really vigorously this year.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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
sun
Sound part声符shēngfú
wǎngwàng
Same sound today

An earlier form paired 日 (sun) with 往 for the sound; the modern 旺 is understood as 日 plus a right-side part.

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.