猛烈

もうれつ

violent, vehement, rage

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The adjective 猛烈 (měng liè) describes something that is fierce, intense, or violent in nature. It is often used to depict strong natural phenomena, intense emotions, or vigorous actions.

Common Contexts

  • Natural events: storms, winds, or other forces of nature can be described as 猛烈 to emphasize their power.
  • Emotional or attitudinal intensity: when someone shows strong opposition or passion, 猛烈 conveys the forcefulness of their feelings.
  • Competitive or physical intensity: in sports or contests, 猛烈 describes the vigorous and intense efforts of participants.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 猛烈攻击 (měngliè gōngjī): fierce attack, used in military or metaphorical contexts.
  • 猛烈反对 (měngliè fǎnduì): fierce opposition, expressing strong disagreement.
  • 猛烈竞争 (měngliè jìngzhēng): fierce competition, common in business or sports.

Nuances

Using 猛烈 implies a high degree of intensity and often a sense of urgency or danger. It is more forceful than words like 强烈 (qiángliè), which also means strong or intense but can be less aggressive. Avoid confusing 猛烈 with 温和 (wēnhé), which means mild or gentle.

Register

This word is formal and often appears in written language, news reports, and formal speech rather than casual conversation.

Example Sentences

The storm fiercely hit the coastal area, causing severe damage.

He showed a fierce opposition to this matter.

The match entered an intense phase, with both sides giving their all.