混淆 hùnxiáo to obscure
to obscure; to confuse; to mix up; to blur; to mislead
How to remember 混淆: 混 muddy + 淆 confused = to obscure.
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How it is used
- Means to confuse/mix up two things, or to blur distinctions - 混淆是非 (hùnxiáo shìfēi) to confound right and wrong.
- Often deliberate and misleading - 混淆视听 (hùnxiáo shìtīng) to muddy the waters, mislead the public.
- Contrast 混乱 (hùnluàn, chaotic/disordered); 混淆 is specifically mixing up things that should be distinguished.