Meaning and Usage
The character 瞎 primarily means 'blind' in a literal sense, referring to loss of sight. However, it is also commonly used figuratively to describe actions done without careful thought or blindly, such as '瞎忙' (busy without purpose) or '瞎说' (talk nonsense).
Common Collocations
- 瞎说: to talk nonsense or say something untrue
- 瞎忙: to be busy but without achieving anything
- 瞎了眼: literally 'blind in the eyes,' used to describe someone who made a poor judgment
Usage Notes
When used literally, 瞎 describes blindness or loss of vision. Figuratively, it often conveys a negative judgment about someone's behavior or speech, implying carelessness or foolishness. It is informal and common in spoken Chinese. Avoid using 瞎 in formal writing when referring to blindness; use 失明 instead.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse 瞎 with 盲 (máng), which also means blind but is more formal and often used in medical or official contexts. 瞎 is more colloquial and can carry a slightly negative or critical tone when used figuratively.