jin1 mou6煙霧烟雾
Jyutpingjin1 mou6
Yaleyīn mouh
Definition
Smog or smoke, characterized by misty, polluted, or particulate-filled air that reduces visibility.
- smog; misty and heavily polluted air that reduces visibility and affects breathing
- smoke; gas containing suspended particles, typically from burning
neutralweathernature
How it's used
While 煙霧 technically refers to smog or thick haze, it is often used interchangeably with 霧 in casual conversation when describing poor visibility. It carries a slightly more negative connotation than 霧 because it implies the presence of pollutants or industrial smoke. You will frequently hear it used in weather reports or when discussing air quality alerts.
Examples
The air quality is terrible today, the whole city is covered in smog.
Look at the smog outside, I can't even see the building across the street.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 煙霧 with 霧. Remember that 霧 is natural mist or fog, whereas 煙霧 specifically suggests pollution or smoke is mixed in, making it a more serious environmental concern.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
