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March 24, 2026
迷惑míhuò(mi2huo4)
迷惑 (mi2 huo5) means to puzzle, confuse, or baffle someone. It is used in contexts where something is unclear or perplexing, often causing uncertainty or misunderstanding. This word can relate to situations ranging from complex problems to ambiguous statements.
Strokes21Frequency#5121DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being '迷惑' often reflects a deeper philosophical notion of uncertainty and the complexity of life, which is frequently addressed in literature and conversations about fate and destiny.
Memory Tip
Think of 迷 (mi) as a maze, which confuses you, and 惑 (huo) as 'what' – a question you might ask when you're puzzled. Together, they depict being lost in a maze of confusion.
Meanings of 迷惑
míhuò(mi2huo4)
1to puzzle
2to confuse
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 迷惑
迷惑Simplified
21Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#5121Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 迷惑
Podcast: 迷惑
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AI Study Notes for 迷惑
Quick Contrast
困惑 (kùnhuò) - use 迷惑 (míhuò) when the confusion is due to external circumstances, while困惑 (kùnhuò) implies an internal struggle with understanding.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 迷 (mi) as a maze, which confuses you, and 惑 (huo) as 'what' – a question you might ask when you're puzzled. Together, they depict being lost in a maze of confusion.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 迷惑 with similar words like 困惑 (kùn huò), which also means confusion but has a slightly different nuance. 迷惑 is more informal and may be used in both spoken and written language, but it’s best suited for situations involving personal confusion or misunderstanding.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 迷惑 connects with other advanced vocabulary relating to emotions and cognition. Students should focus on using it in complex sentences to express nuanced feelings of confusion in different contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being '迷惑' often reflects a deeper philosophical notion of uncertainty and the complexity of life, which is frequently addressed in literature and conversations about fate and destiny.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 迷惑 with 糊涂 (hú tú), which implies being muddled or confused in a less serious way. For example, saying '我觉得他很迷惑' (I think he is very confused) might be better expressed as '我觉得他有点糊涂' for a lighter tone.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 迷惑
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Grammar Patterns of 迷惑
迷惑 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
她态度有些奇怪，让我____不解。
There was something strange in her attitude which mystified me.
Example Sentences for 迷惑 (12)
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1
她态度有些奇怪，让我迷惑不解。
tā tài dù yǒu xiē qí guài， ， ràng wǒ mí huò bù。
There was something strange in her attitude which mystified me.
Scientists are puzzled by this mysterious phenomenon and have yet to provide a reasonable explanation.
12
他的话似乎矛盾重重，令人感到十分迷惑，不知其意何在。
Tā de huà sìhū máodùn chóngchóng, lìng rén gǎndào shífēn míhuò, bù zhī qí yì hé zài.
His words seem full of contradictions, which are very puzzling, leaving one unsure of his intentions.
Cultural Notes for 迷惑
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, being '迷惑' often reflects a deeper philosophical notion of uncertainty and the complexity of life, which is frequently addressed in literature and conversations about fate and destiny.
Frequently Asked Questions about 迷惑
You can say '这个问题让我很迷惑' (This question puzzles me).
It's more commonly used in informal contexts; for formal writing, consider using 困惑.
Synonyms include 困惑 (kùn huò) and 糊涂 (hú tú), although they have slightly different connotations.
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