猛

• Pinyin: měng
• Hanzi breakdown: 猛 = 犭 (animal radical) + 孟 (phonetic). Animal radical suggests fierce beast qualities.

Meaning

Fierce; violent; sudden; vigorous. Having great force or intensity.

Describes powerful, aggressive, or intense actions. Common combinations: 猛烈 (fierce/violent), 猛兽 (ferocious beast), 猛然 (suddenly), 猛涨 (surge/skyrocket), 猛药 (strong medicine). Can describe weather, animals, people's actions, or market movements.

Examples

1. 他猛地站起来，把桌上的杯子都碰倒了。 He suddenly stood up and knocked over all the cups on the table.
2. 台风来势很猛，沿海地区的居民都已经转移了。 The typhoon is approaching with great force — residents in coastal areas have already been evacuated.
3. 这只猛虎被关在笼子里，眼神依然凶狠。 This fierce tiger was locked in a cage, but its gaze remained ferocious.

Usage Guide

Context: description, weather, sports, intensity

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 风刮得很猛。(The wind is blowing fiercely.)
• 他猛喝了一大口水。(He took a big fierce gulp of water.)

Don't Say

• 用猛来形容缓慢渐进的事物 (猛 implies suddenness and intensity, not gradual change)

Origin & History

猛 contains 犭 (dog/animal radical) + 孟, suggesting fierce animal qualities.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal