陌生 (mòshēng) describes anything outside your existing knowledge or experience.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to describe something or someone not previously known.
- Commonly used for unfamiliar places or faces.
- Refers to a lack of prior experience or recognition.
Overview
- 1概览：陌生是一个形容词，用于描述事物或人给人的‘不熟悉感’。当某样东西超出了你的经验或记忆范畴时，你就会感到陌生。2) 用法模式：它通常作谓语（如：这地方很陌生）或定语（如：一个陌生的城市）。它也可以与动词搭配，如‘感到陌生’或‘表现得陌生’。3) 常见语境：在日常生活中，我们常说‘陌生人’（stranger）或‘陌生的环境’（unfamiliar environment）。在社交场合，如果见到不认识的人，会说‘面孔很陌生’。4) 近义词辨析：‘陌生’侧重于‘不认识、没见过’；而‘生疏’（rusty/unfamiliar）更侧重于‘因为久不练习而失去熟练度’。例如，很久不写汉字会感到‘生疏’，但你不会说汉字很‘陌生’。
Examples
在这个陌生的城市，我感到很孤独。
everydayI feel lonely in this unfamiliar city.
请不要随意给陌生人开门。
formalPlease do not open the door for strangers at will.
他的脸看起来很陌生，我以前没见过他。
informalHis face looks unfamiliar; I have never seen him before.
该理论对于初学者来说可能较为陌生。
academicThis theory might be quite unfamiliar to beginners.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
陌生环境
unfamiliar environment
感到陌生
to feel unfamiliar
陌生面孔
strange face
Often Confused With
Used for skills or relationships that have become distant due to lack of practice or contact. '陌生' is about never having known something at all.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '陌生' is neutral in register and can be used in both spoken and written Chinese. It is strictly used to denote a lack of familiarity. Avoid using it to describe technical skills, as that is the domain of '生疏'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use '陌生' to describe their lack of practice in playing instruments or sports. This is incorrect; '生疏' should be used instead. Also, ensure the word is used as an adjective, not a verb.
Tips
Use with '感到' for feelings
Combine '陌生' with '感到' to express your inner feeling of being in an unfamiliar situation. This makes your Chinese sound more natural and emotionally expressive.
Do not confuse with '生疏'
Remember that '陌生' is for lack of knowledge, while '生疏' is for lack of practice. Mixing these two is a common error for beginners.
Safety awareness for strangers
In Chinese culture, the term '陌生人' is frequently used in parenting to teach children caution. It carries a nuance of needing to keep a safe distance.
Word Origin
The character '陌' originally referred to paths between fields. Combined with '生' (new/raw), it describes the feeling of encountering something as if walking on a path you have never taken before.
Cultural Context
In Chinese society, the concept of '陌生人' is often associated with social boundaries. Maintaining a polite distance from strangers is a common social norm.
Memory Tip
Think of '陌' (path/road) and '生' (new/raw). A 'new road' is one you don't know yet, hence '陌生'.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“陌生人”指的是你完全不认识的人。在安全教育中，通常会提醒儿童不要和陌生人说话。
通常不建议用“陌生”形容技能。形容技能不熟练，应该使用“生疏”或“不熟练”。
“陌生”的反义词是“熟悉”。表示某人或某事是你经常接触、了解的。
“感到陌生”侧重于主观心理感受，即你内心觉得不适应；“看起来陌生”侧重于外观或印象，即客观上让你觉得不熟悉。
Test Yourself
刚搬到这个城市，我对周围的一切都感到很___。
因为是新环境，所以是不熟悉的状态。
下列哪句话表达正确？
选项C正确描述了对地点的陌生感。
选择正确的短语组合。
这是一个地道的表达方式。
Score: /3
Summary
陌生 (mòshēng) describes anything outside your existing knowledge or experience.
- Used to describe something or someone not previously known.
- Commonly used for unfamiliar places or faces.
- Refers to a lack of prior experience or recognition.
Use with '感到' for feelings
Combine '陌生' with '感到' to express your inner feeling of being in an unfamiliar situation. This makes your Chinese sound more natural and emotionally expressive.
Do not confuse with '生疏'
Remember that '陌生' is for lack of knowledge, while '生疏' is for lack of practice. Mixing these two is a common error for beginners.
Safety awareness for strangers
In Chinese culture, the term '陌生人' is frequently used in parenting to teach children caution. It carries a nuance of needing to keep a safe distance.
Examples
4 of 4在这个陌生的城市，我感到很孤独。
I feel lonely in this unfamiliar city.
请不要随意给陌生人开门。
Please do not open the door for strangers at will.
他的脸看起来很陌生，我以前没见过他。
His face looks unfamiliar; I have never seen him before.
该理论对于初学者来说可能较为陌生。
This theory might be quite unfamiliar to beginners.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More general words
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
大约
B1Used to show that a number or amount is not exact; approximately.
上边
A2above, on top
上面
A1on, above, over
