Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
曚 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
曚méngtwilight before dawnzg, 18 strokes, radical 日
méng(meng2) T2
  1. 1twilight before dawn
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

曚méng(meng2)

The character 曚 (méng) refers to the twilight or dim light that occurs before dawn. It conveys a sense of the early morning transition from darkness to light, often associated with a peaceful and quiet atmosphere. This term is not commonly used in everyday conversations but can be found in literary contexts or poetic expressions.

Strokes18Radical日
Cultural Note

In Chinese poetry, the concept of dawn and twilight is often celebrated as a time of hope and new beginnings. 曚 captures that fleeting moment before the sun rises, reflecting the traditional appreciation for nature's cycles in Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a scene just before dawn when the sky is a hazy gray, and the light is just beginning to creep in. The character 曚 looks like a 'roof' (亠) over 'darkness' (亡), suggesting a covering over the night as it slowly lifts, bringing forth the light of day.

Meanings of 曚

méng(meng2)
1twilight before dawn
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 曚 means.

About 曚

曚Simplified
18Strokes
日Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 曚

JasonAmy

Podcast: 曚

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 曚

Usage Notes

Learners might confuse 曚 with other words related to light or darkness. It's typically used in a more formal or literary context, so it may not be suitable for casual conversation. Be careful with tone; the correct pronunciation is méng, not màng (which means to overlook).

HSK Study Tips

Although 曚 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it relates to the concept of light and time, which are common themes in beginner and intermediate levels. Students should focus on recognizing similar characters and their contexts, as well as practicing pronunciation.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 曚 with similar characters like 暗 (àn), which means dark, resulting in incorrect usage. For example, saying 曚 means 'dark' is incorrect; it specifically refers to the twilight before dawn.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 曚

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 曚 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 曚 to You

Let me explain 曚 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 曚 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 曚?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 曚 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 曚

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

sun

Semantic (meaning)日
+
Phonetic (sound)蒙
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

曚 = 日 + 蒙. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 曚

IDS Structure⿰日蒙
曚Full Character
=
日Ri4
left
蒙meng1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 曚?

How to say twilight before dawn in Chinese

“twilight before dawn” in Chinese is曚méng

The character 曚 (méng) refers to the twilight or dim light that occurs before dawn. It conveys a sense of the early morning transition from darkness to light, often associated with a peaceful and quiet atmosphere. This term is not commonly used in everyday conversations but can be found in literary contexts or poetic expressions.

When to use 曚

Learners might confuse 曚 with other words related to light or darkness. It's typically used in a more formal or literary context, so it may not be suitable for casual conversation. Be careful with tone; the correct pronunciation is méng, not màng (which means to overlook).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 曚 with similar characters like 暗 (àn), which means dark, resulting in incorrect usage. For example, saying 曚 means 'dark' is incorrect; it specifically refers to the twilight before dawn.

Write 曚

曚

Practice writing 曚 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 曚?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Word Family of 曚

Words Containing This Character1
曚méngtwilight before dawn

Frequently Asked Questions about 曚

The correct pronunciation is méng, with a rising tone.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 曚?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab