mong5莽
Jyutpingmong5
Yalemóhng
Definition
Reckless, careless, and acting without considering the consequences.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Rarely used as a standalone adjective in modern spoken Cantonese, it almost exclusively appears as part of the compound 魯莽. It describes a lack of foresight or a tendency to act impulsively without considering the potential fallout. While it carries a negative connotation of being rash, it is often used to critique someone's decision making process rather than their character as a whole.
Examples
He is a reckless person and always causes trouble.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 盲, which means blind, because they sound similar in some romanization systems. Ensure you distinguish the tone and the radical, as 莽 relates to vegetation or wildness, while 盲 relates to the eyes.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
