乱
luan
The English word 'messy' is translated into Chinese as 乱 (luan).
乱 is used to describe something that is in a disorderly state, causing confusion or otherwise chaotic. While it can describe physical clutter, such as a messy room, it is also used to describe abstract chaos, such as a messy situation or a disorderly mind.
Meaning: in a disorderly state, causing mess or confusion, chaotic, disorderly (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 乱 is a general term for messy or chaotic, other forms provide more specific nuance. 杂乱 (záluàn) specifically refers to a state of disorder or untidiness, while 凌乱 (língluàn) is often used to describe something disheveled or untidy, such as hair, a room or a person's appearance. For more intense descriptions, the informal phrase 乱七八糟 (luàn qī bā zāo) is used to describe a situation in utter chaos or a total mess.
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe a state using the adjective 乱, it is common to precede it with the adverb 很 (hěn) to mean 'is messy' or 'is very messy' (很乱). To express the action of making something messy or messing something up, you can use the verb 弄 (nòng) followed by 乱 (弄乱).
How do you pronounce it?
luan
Did you know?
- The idiom 乱七八糟 (luàn qī bā zāo) literally translates to 'seven chaotic eight messy', using the numbers seven and eight to suggest a total, indiscriminate lack of order.
- In a historical context, 乱 was frequently used to describe the 'Warring States period' or times of political rebellion, rather than just a messy room.
- While 乱 can mean messy, adding it to certain verbs can create a meaning of 'randomly' or 'recklessly', such as 乱说 (luànshuō) meaning to talk nonsense.
Examples in context
- 我的书桌上很杂乱My desk is very messy.
- 他的头发很凌乱His hair is messy.
- 她的房间乱七八糟Her room is messy.
- 这个文件柜是一团糟This filing cabinet is a mess.
- 他的房间很乱。Tā de fángjiān hěn luàn.His room is very messy.
- 这里太乱了。Zhèlǐ tài luàn le.It is too messy here.
- 我的头发很乱。Wǒ de tóufa hěn luàn.My hair is very messy.
Example conversation
At home, Wei is looking for his keys in a cluttered living room.
- 梓涵 Zihan这里怎么这么乱？Zhèlǐ zěnme zhème luàn?Why is it so messy here?
- 伟 Wei对不起，我没时间收拾。Duìbuqǐ, wǒ méi shíjiān shōushi.Sorry, I didn't have time to tidy up.
- 梓涵 Zihan伟，你的桌面很乱。Wěi, nǐ de zhuōmiàn hěn luàn.Wei, your desk is very messy.
- 伟 Wei我马上就会整理好。Wǒ mǎshàng jiù huì zhěnglǐ hǎo.I will tidy it up right away.
