愣

• Pinyin: lèng
• Hanzi breakdown: 愣 = 忄(heart radical) + 楞 (phonetic, dazed)

Meaning

To be stunned; to be dazed; to stare blankly. As an adjective, rash or blunt.

Describes a momentary state of being frozen or dumbfounded, often from shock or confusion. Can also mean acting rashly without thinking, or having a blunt personality.

Examples

1. 听到这个消息，他愣了好几秒。 When he heard the news, he froze for a few seconds.
2. 她愣愣地看着窗外，若有所思。 She stared blankly out the window, deep in thought.
3. 他这人说话太愣，经常得罪人。 He’s too blunt when he talks and often ends up offending people.

Usage Guide

Context: reactions, personality, descriptions

Tone: colloquial

Do Say

• 他被突如其来的问题问愣了。(He was stunned by the sudden question.)
• 别愣着了，快行动起来。(Don't just stand there dazed, get moving.)

Don't Say

• 我愣地开心 — 愣 describes being stunned or dazed, not a happy state

Origin & History

愣 = 忄(heart) + 楞 (phonetic, originally a Buddhist term)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal