薄雾
bówù
The English word "mist" is translated into Chinese as 薄雾 (bówù).
薄雾 refers to a layer of fine droplets or particles. It is commonly used in both meteorological contexts and for literary or poetic descriptions.
Meaning: a layer of fine droplets or particles (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 薄 meaning thin or light and 雾 meaning fog or mist.
Which one should you use?
While 薄雾 refers specifically to a light mist, you should use 浓雾 to describe thick, heavy fog.
How do you pronounce it?
bówù
Did you know?
- The character 薄 in 薄雾 can also mean 'cheap' or 'thinly sliced', leading to a linguistic curiosity where the same word describes both a light mist and a thin piece of meat.
- In ancient Chinese medicine and Taoist alchemy, 雾 was sometimes associated with the 'breath' of the mountains and seen as a manifestation of 气 or vital energy.
- In some classical Chinese artistic contexts, the way a painter depicts 薄雾 is considered a way to use 'empty space' to create depth, a technique known as 'leaving blank' (留白).
Examples in context
- 透过薄雾，我隐约看见了我的未来。In looking through the mist, I caught a glimpse of my future.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 薄雾 in a poetic context.Tatoeba #406451 by GlossaMatik, translation #406445 by FeuDRenais
- 今天有雾There is mist today.
- 思想上的迷雾A mental fog
- 一大早外面是薄雾There is a thin mist outside in the early morning.
- 山上笼罩着一层白雾There is a layer of white mist enveloping the mountains.
- 早晨的雾气萦绕着湖面。The morning mist lingers over the lake.
- 雾笼罩着整个城市，景色宛如仙境。The mist shrouds the entire city, creating a scenery like a fairyland.
- 清晨的湖面上有一层薄雾。Qīngchén de húmiàn shàng yǒu yī céng bówù.There is a layer of mist on the lake surface in the early morning.
- 山里弥漫着浓浓的薄雾。Shān lǐ mímàn zhe nóng nóng de bówù.A thick mist is filling the mountains.
Example conversation
Two friends are hiking in the mountains early in the morning.
- 浩然 Haoran这里的薄雾真美啊。Zhèlǐ de bówù zhēn měi a.The mist here is so beautiful.
- 雨婷 Yuting是啊，可是有点看不清路。Shì a, kěshì yǒudiǎn kàn bù qīng lù.Yes, but it is a bit hard to see the path.
- 浩然 Haoran雨婷，你小心脚下。Yǔtíng, nǐ xiǎoxīn jiǎoxià.Yuting, watch your step.
- 雨婷 Yuting我知道了，浩然。Wǒ zhīdào le, Hàorán.I know, Haoran.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
