Definition
萌 (méng) is a bound form (黏着语素), meaning it cannot stand alone as a complete word in modern Chinese. It appears mainly in compound words where it conveys the idea of sprouting, germinating, or the beginning of something. You usually encounter it in 萌芽 (sprout, bud), 萌发 (germinate, spring up), or 萌生 (produce, emerge). Its original sense relates to plants putting out shoots, but it can also metaphorically refer to the early stage of an idea or phenomenon.
b.f.
(bound form) to sproutto germinatea bud or early stage
Examples
- ，。Chūntiān dào le, xiǎo cǎo kāishǐ méng fā.Spring has arrived, and the grass is starting to sprout.
- 。Tā xīnzhōng méng shēng le chuàngyè de niàntou.The idea of starting a business sprouted in his mind.
- ，。Gōngsī hái chǔ zài méng yá jiēduàn, xūyào xiǎoxīn jīngyíng.The company is still in its budding stage and needs careful management.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.