Chinese word

凶猛

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiōng měng

Meaning

  • adjectivefierce

Example

路上有一只凶猛的狗，别靠近。lù shàng yǒu yì zhī xiōng měng de gǒu bié kào jìn

There is a fierce dog on the road, so don't go near it.

Illustration for 凶猛 (fierce)

More examples

夜里，那只狼显得格外凶猛。yè lǐ nà zhǐ láng xiǎn de gé wài xiōng měng

At night, that wolf appeared particularly fierce.

Core concept

A force that attacks with dangerous intensity, making injury or damage likely.

Common phrases

  • 凶猛的袭击xiōng měng de xí jī

    ferocious attack

  • 凶猛的本能xiōng měng de běn néng

    ferocious instinct

  • 表现得凶猛biǎo xiàn de xiōng měng

    behave fiercely

Similar words

凶恶xiōng è: Showing an evil and dangerous nature that causes fear.
残忍cán rěn: Showing no pity for others' pain while deliberately hurting them.
凶狠xiōng hěn: Using cruel, forceful methods to harm others with no restraint.
野蛮yě mán: Rough and aggressive because of a lack of manners and consideration.

Definition in Chinese

指人或动物具有强烈的攻击性，容易伤害他人或破坏物体的性格或行为。zhǐ rén huò dòng wù jù yǒu qiáng liè de gōng jī xìng róng yì shāng hài tā rén huò pò huài wù tǐ de xìng gé huò xíng wéi

Word origin

凶 (xiōng, "dangerous") + 猛 (měng, "forceful") combines danger with great force to describe behavior that can seriously harm or destroy.

Usage tips

  • When used for a person, 凶猛 (xiōngměng, "fierce") sounds strongly condemning and suggests a real threat, so it is not a casual compliment for someone who is merely assertive.

Other meanings

  • brutaladjective

Opposites

  • 温顺wēn shùngentleadjective

Related words

  • 凶猛性xiōng měng xìngferocitynoun

Word lists with this word