萌生 (méng shēng) — (written) to conceive (an idea), to arise (of a thought, feeling, etc.)

Definition

Written verb: a feeling or idea arises or takes hold in the mind. Always collocates with abstract nouns like 念头, 想法, or 感情 — never used for people or physical objects.

verb
(written) to conceive (an idea)to arise (of a thought, feeling, etc.)

Examples

  • 萌生。
    Tā xīn zhōng méng shēng le yí gè xīn de jì huà.
    A new plan arose in his mind.
  • ，萌生。
    Kàn dào zhè yí mù, tā méng shēng le lí kāi de niàn tou.
    Seeing this scene, she conceived the idea of leaving.
  • 萌生。
    Zhè ge xiǎng fǎ shì zài yí cì lǚ xíng zhōng méng shēng de.
    This idea arose during a trip.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

萌méngsprout
生shēngarise/produce

Sprout plus arise means begin to appear or conceive.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
艹Written in full as艸cǎograss; plant
Sound part声符shēngfú
明
明míng萌méng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The top 艹 shows a plant, and the bottom 明 gives the sound for 萌.

Open 萌 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

生 shows 屮 (a bud) above 一 (the ground), drawing a sprout coming up from the earth.

Open 生 →

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