Definition
茫然 (máng rán) describes a state of being at a loss, confused, or blankly unaware of what to do — often with a vacant expression. It differs from 糊涂 (hútu), which means 'muddled, foolish' and implies a lack of understanding or poor judgment; 愣 (lèng) is a momentary blank stare from shock, while 茫然 is a longer-lasting feeling of being lost.
adjective
blanklyvacantlyat a lossconfused
Examples
- 茫然，。Tā máng rán de zhàn zài lùkǒu, bù zhīdào gāi wǎng nǎ zǒu.He stood blankly at the intersection, not knowing which way to go.
- ，茫然。Tīng dào zhège xiāoxi, tā gǎndào shífēn máng rán.Hearing this news, she felt very lost.
- 茫然。Miànshìguān de wèntí ràng tā yì liǎn máng rán.The interviewer's question left him with a confused look on his face.
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