to look distracted

JLPT N5 12 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Meaning and Usage

The character "" (lèng) primarily describes a state of being stunned, distracted, or momentarily dazed. It often conveys a sudden pause in reaction due to surprise, confusion, or shock.

Common Contexts

"" is frequently used to describe someone who is caught off guard or lost in thought, often standing still or silent. It can describe both physical stillness and mental distraction.

Collocations and Patterns

  • : a brief moment of being stunned or distracted.
  • : to be so stunned or distracted that one freezes or forgets to act.
  • : to stand dazed in the original place, unable to move.

Usage Notes

"" is informal and common in spoken Mandarin. It often appears in narrative or conversational contexts to depict a natural human reaction. It differs from similar words like "发呆" (fādāi), which also means to be dazed but can imply a longer or more passive state. "" usually implies a sudden, brief reaction.

Common Confusion

Do not confuse "" with "楞" (also pronounced lèng), which can mean a wooden beam or have other meanings. In modern usage, "" is the preferred character for the distracted or stunned meaning.

Example Sentences

He was momentarily stunned after hearing the news and didn't say anything.

The child stood there dazed, not knowing what to do.

He was so distracted that he forgot to answer the phone.