茫 máng vague
vague; boundless; vast
How to remember 茫: 艹 grass + 氵 water + 亡 perish = vague. Beyond the dune grass, the sailor sees only water, where so many ships perish, an ocean so wide it feels vague.
Component breakdown
茫 = 艹 grass + 汒
- 艹 grass
- 汒
- 氵 water
- 亡 perish
Beyond the dune grass, the sailor sees only water, where so many ships perish, an ocean so wide it feels vague.
How it is used
- Two linked senses: physically vast and indistinct, and mentally at a loss - 茫茫 (mángmáng) boundless (茫茫大海 the vast sea), 茫然 (mángrán) blank, bewildered.
- Also 渺茫 (miǎománg) remote/uncertain and 迷茫 (mímáng) lost/confused. The thread is "so vast/vague you can't get your bearings."