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道Nihongo Path
妄

妄·delusion

On-yomi
モウボウ
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

6 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
妄想もうそうdelusion, wild fantasy
妄言ぼうげんreckless remark
妄信もうしんblind belief
迷妄めいもうillusion, fallacy

Example sentences

  1. 彼は妄想にとらわれている。

    かれはもうそうにとらわれている。

    He is caught up in delusions.

  2. 根拠のない話を妄信してはいけない。

    こんきょのないはなしをもうしんしてはいけない。

    You must not blindly believe a story with no evidence.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 妄 is usually モウ (妄想 もうそう) but ボウ in 妄言 (ぼうげん).
  • 妄想 is stronger than 'daydream' — it implies a belief detached from reality.

Memory aid

Picture it

亡 (to perish, be lost) sitting on 女 — a mind that has lost its footing.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 妄 mean?