笼罩
Overview
The Chinese word '笼罩' (lǒngzhào) is a verb that means 'to shroud' or 'to envelop'. It describes a situation where something covers or surrounds another thing completely, often in a way that suggests a pervasive or extensive presence. This can be used literally, for physical phenomena, or metaphorically, for abstract concepts.
In its literal sense, '笼罩' is frequently used to describe natural occurrences. For instance, fog, mist, smoke, or clouds are often said to '笼罩' a landscape, city, or mountain. This implies that the atmospheric condition has spread widely and is covering everything in its path. You might hear phrases like '大雾笼罩着城市' (dàwù lǒngzhàozhe chéngshì), meaning 'Heavy fog shrouded the city,' or '云雾笼罩着山顶' (yúnwù lǒngzhàozhe shāndǐng), meaning 'Clouds enveloped the mountain peak.' In these cases, the verb conveys a sense of being thoroughly covered and perhaps even obscured.
Metaphorically, '笼罩' can be used to describe an atmosphere, emotion, or situation that pervades an area or a group of people. For example, a somber mood, a sense of tension, or an air of mystery can '笼罩' a place or an event. You could say '恐惧笼罩着全城' (kǒngjù lǒngzhàozhe quánchéng), meaning 'Fear enveloped the entire city,' or '一层神秘的色彩笼罩着这个故事' (yī céng shénmì de sècǎi lǒngzhàozhe zhège gùshì), meaning 'A layer of mystery shrouded this story.' This metaphorical usage highlights how an abstract feeling or condition can be so widespread and dominant that it feels like it's physically covering everything.
It's important to note that '笼罩' often carries a connotation of breadth and completeness. It's not just a partial covering, but rather a thorough enveloping. Depending on the context, it can evoke feelings of solemnity, mystery, oppression, or even beauty, particularly when describing natural scenery.
When using '笼罩', it's common to see it followed by the particle '着' (zhe), which indicates a continuous or sustained state, further emphasizing the pervasive nature of the 'shrouding' or 'enveloping'. The grammatical structure often follows the pattern of [Subject] + '笼罩' + [Object], where the subject is the thing doing the shrouding and the object is what is being shrouded.
Examples
浓雾笼罩着这座城市。
natural phenomenonThick fog shrouded the city.
恐惧笼罩着他的心。
emotions/atmosphereFear enveloped his heart.
一片沉寂笼罩着整个房间。
atmosphereA pall of silence enveloped the entire room.
阴影笼罩着大地。
natural phenomenonShadows enveloped the earth.
他被一层神秘的气氛所笼罩。
abstract/atmosphereHe was enveloped in an aura of mystery.
Common Collocations
Often Confused With
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
'笼罩' is a transitive verb, meaning it typically takes an object. It describes the act of something covering or enveloping another thing completely. The subjects that can '笼罩' are usually non-living entities or abstract concepts such as fog, clouds, darkness, shadows, light, atmosphere, or emotions. For example, '大雾笼罩着城市' (Dàwù lǒngzhàozhe chéngshì - A thick fog shrouds the city) is a common usage. It can also be used to describe a pervasive mood or atmosphere, as in '悲伤笼罩着她的心' (Bēishāng lǒngzhàozhe tā de xīn - Sadness enveloped her heart). When used with a particle like '着' (zhe), it emphasizes the continuous state of being covered or enveloped. It is less commonly used for active, intentional covering by a person. While '覆盖' (fùgài) also means to cover, '笼罩' often implies a more atmospheric, widespread, or even ethereal covering, rather than a solid or physical one.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is confusing '笼罩' with words that describe a general 'covering' without the specific sense of being enveloped or shrouded, like '覆盖' (fùgài) which can mean to cover generally. '笼罩' specifically implies a wide and often somewhat obscure or atmospheric covering, such as fog, darkness, or an atmosphere of fear. Another mistake can be mispronouncing the tones, particularly the third tone in '笼' and the fourth tone in '罩'.
Tips
Usage and Connotation
Common Mistakes
Example Sentences
Word Origin
Phono-semantic compound (形聲, OC *sroŋ): semantic ⺮ ('bamboo') + phonetic 龍 (OC *sroŋ) 'dragon'.
Cultural Context
The word '笼罩' (lǒngzhào) evokes a sense of being completely covered or surrounded, often with an atmospheric or somewhat mysterious quality. In Chinese culture, this term is frequently used in descriptive literature, poetry, and everyday speech to paint vivid images. It can carry connotations of protection or embrace when describing things like sunlight or a canopy of trees. However, it can also suggest a feeling of being overwhelmed, obscured, or even oppressed, particularly when associated with fog, darkness, or a pervasive mood like sadness or fear. For instance, a mountain '笼罩' in mist might be seen as ethereal, while a city '笼罩' in smog carries a negative implication. The dual nature of '笼罩' allows it to be used to express both natural beauty and challenging circumstances, making it a versatile and evocative term in the Chinese lexicon.
Memory Tip
The character '笼' (lóng) looks a bit like a cage or a basket, which can enclose something. The character '罩' (zhào) has a 'covering' radical on top, reinforcing the idea of covering or shrouding.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsTest Yourself
浓雾_____着山顶，使人无法看清。
阴影_____着他，让他感到一丝不安。
恐怖的气氛_____着整个房间。
Score: /3
Usage and Connotation
Common Mistakes
Example Sentences
Examples
5 of 5浓雾笼罩着这座城市。
Thick fog shrouded the city.
恐惧笼罩着他的心。
Fear enveloped his heart.
一片沉寂笼罩着整个房间。
A pall of silence enveloped the entire room.
阴影笼罩着大地。
Shadows enveloped the earth.
他被一层神秘的气氛所笼罩。
He was enveloped in an aura of mystery.
