mang4 ngaa4萌芽

Jyutpingmang4 ngaa4

Yalemàhng ngàh

動詞Uncommon

Definition

To sprout or bud; to begin to emerge or develop.

to sprout; to bud
figurativeto begin to develop; to emerge

writtennaturedescriptions

How it's used

Literary and formal in nature, this term is rarely used in casual daily speech to describe actual plants. It is almost exclusively employed metaphorically to describe the early stages of abstract concepts like relationships, business ideas, or social movements. When referring to literal plant growth, speakers prefer the more direct and common term 發芽.

Examples

ni1呢go3個gai3計waak6劃ngaam1啱ngaam1啱mang4萌ngaa4芽，hou2好do1多je5嘢zung6仲jiu3要king1傾。

This plan has just started to bud, there is still a lot to discuss.

keoi5佢dei6哋zi1之gaan1間ge3嘅gam2感cing4情hoi1開ci2始mang4萌ngaa4芽laa3喇。

The feelings between them have started to sprout.

Common phrases

mang4萌ngaa4芽gaai1階dyun6段

embryonic stage

mang4萌ngaa4芽zong6狀taai3態

in a budding state

Common mistake

Avoid using this word for physical plant growth in everyday conversation, as it sounds overly poetic or academic. Stick to 發芽 for literal contexts to sound natural.