蒙

• Pinyin: mēng
• Hanzi breakdown: 蒙 = 艹 (grass) + 冖 (cover) + 豕 (pig). Originally depicted grass covering something.

Meaning

To cover; to deceive; to be in a daze; to guess blindly.

Multiple pronunciations and meanings: mēng (deceived, confused, guess wildly), méng (to cover, Mongolia), měng (Mengzi). Common uses: 蒙骗 (deceive), 蒙住眼睛 (cover eyes), 蒙混过关 (muddle through), 发蒙 (feel dazed). Colloquially, 蒙对了 means 'guessed correctly by luck.'

Examples

1. 考试的时候不会做，他就闭着眼睛蒙了一个答案。 When he didn't know the answer during the exam, he just closed his eyes and guessed randomly.
2. 她被那个骗子蒙了好几年，损失了不少钱。 She was deceived by that scammer for years and lost a lot of money.
3. 突然听到这个消息，他脑子一下子蒙了，不知道该怎么办。 Upon suddenly hearing this news, his mind went blank and he didn't know what to do.

Usage Guide

Context: conversation, exams, deception

Tone: colloquial

Do Say

• 这题我蒙的。(I just guessed this question.)
• 别蒙我了。(Don't try to fool me.)

Don't Say

• 在正式场合用蒙表示猜测 (蒙 in this sense is colloquial; use 猜测 formally)

Origin & History

Original meaning relates to covering or concealment. Extended to deception (covering the truth) and confusion (mind covered/clouded).

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal