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萠 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
萠méngbud, sproutx, 12 strokes, radical 艹
méng(meng2) T2
  1. 1bud, sprout
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

萠méng(meng2)

The character 萠 (méng) refers to a young bud or sprout, representing the early stages of growth in plants. It is often used in contexts related to nature, gardening, or the beginning of new life, symbolizing freshness and vitality.

Strokes12Radical艹
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, sprouts are often associated with spring and renewal, reflecting the belief in the natural cycle of life. The concept of growth and new beginnings is celebrated during festivals like the Spring Festival.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tiny green sprout (the shape of 萠) emerging from the soil, reaching for the sun. The top part resembles a budding leaf, while the bottom part can remind you of roots, representing new beginnings and growth.

Meanings of 萠

méng(meng2)
1bud, sprout
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 萠

萠Simplified
12Strokes
艹Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 萠

JasonAmy

Podcast: 萠

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 萠

Quick Contrast

萌 (méng) - often used in a broader sense to refer to budding or sprouting, while 萠 (méng) specifically emphasizes the early stages of growth.

Usage Notes

This character is relatively uncommon and may be mistaken for similar characters like 萌 (méng), which means 'to sprout' or 'to bud' but often carries a more figurative meaning. It's important to note that 萠 is more specialized and might be used in botanical contexts.

HSK Study Tips

Although 萠 is not part of the standard HSK levels, it connects well with vocabulary related to nature and growth found in HSK levels 3 and above. Focus on its pronunciation and differentiate it from other similar-sounding characters.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 萠 (méng) with 萌 (méng) due to their similar pronunciation and appearance. For example, using 萌 in a botanical context instead of 萠 would be incorrect; make sure to use 萠 when specifically referring to buds.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 萠

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Etymology of 萠

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

plant

Semantic (meaning)艹
+
Phonetic (sound)朋
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 萠

  1. 1The meaning half艹 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half朋 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayplant
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 萠? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 萠?

Decomposition of 萠

IDS Structure⿱艹朋
萠Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
朋peng2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 萠?

How to say bud, sprout in Chinese

“bud, sprout” in Chinese is萠méng

The character 萠 (méng) refers to a young bud or sprout, representing the early stages of growth in plants. It is often used in contexts related to nature, gardening, or the beginning of new life, symbolizing freshness and vitality.

When to use 萠

This character is relatively uncommon and may be mistaken for similar characters like 萌 (méng), which means 'to sprout' or 'to bud' but often carries a more figurative meaning. It's important to note that 萠 is more specialized and might be used in botanical contexts.

萠 or something close to it

萌 (méng) - often used in a broader sense to refer to budding or sprouting, while 萠 (méng) specifically emphasizes the early stages of growth.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 萠 (méng) with 萌 (méng) due to their similar pronunciation and appearance. For example, using 萌 in a botanical context instead of 萠 would be incorrect; make sure to use 萠 when specifically referring to buds.

Write 萠

萠

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Frequently Asked Questions about 萠

No, 萠 is more specialized and is typically used in literary or botanical contexts.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 萠?

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.