漫画

• Pinyin: màn huà
• Hanzi breakdown: 漫 = 氵(water) + 曼 (spread out); 画 = 田 (field) + 聿 (brush), to paint

Meaning

Comics; manga; cartoon drawings. Sequential art or illustrated stories.

Includes newspaper comic strips, comic books, Japanese manga, and Chinese comics. Can refer to both the art form and specific works. Very popular among young people. Sometimes also refers to satirical cartoons.

Examples

1. 他从小就喜欢看日本漫画，现在还在收藏。 He has loved reading Japanese manga since childhood and still collects them.
2. 这位漫画家的作品在网上非常火。 This cartoonist's works are very popular online.
3. 弟弟的书包里全是漫画书。 My little brother's schoolbag is full of comic books.

Usage Guide

Context: entertainment, art, youth culture

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 你喜欢看什么类型的漫画？(What type of comics do you like to read?)
• 这部漫画已经被改编成动画了。(This manga has been adapted into an anime.)

Don't Say

• 我画了一张风景漫画。(For a single landscape drawing, use 画 — 漫画 implies sequential art or cartoon style)

Origin & History

漫 (màn, casual/rambling) + 画 (huà, drawing/picture). Casual or free-form drawings.

Cultural Context

Generation: Youth-focused but enjoyed by all ages

Social background: Universal