猛
fierce, rave, rush, become furious, wildness, strength
Readings
On'yomi
- モウ
Kun'yomi
—
Nanori
- たけ
- たけし
- たける
Meaning
猛 centers on intense, forceful energy: fierce wildness, violent rushing, or becoming furious. The strength sense is the raw power behind that wild intensity.
Most common words using 猛
20 of 77- 猛もうN1
greatly energetic
- 猛烈もうれつN1
fierce; intense; severe; violent; strong; vehement; terrific; terrible
- 猛暑もうしょ
heat wave; fierce heat
- 猛者もさ
tough guy; wild one; fearless fighter
- 猛獣もうじゅう
fierce animal; beast of prey; big game
- 猛毒もうどく
deadly poison
- 獰猛どうもう
ferocious; fierce; truculent; savage
- 猛威もうい
fury; power; menace
- 猛禽もうきん
raptor; bird of prey; predatory bird
- 猛虎もうこ
fierce tiger; ferocious tiger
- 猛攻もうこう
fierce attack
- 猛省もうせい
serious reflection; soul-searching; penitence
- 猛追もうつい
hot pursuit; hot chase
- 猪突猛進ちょとつもうしん
headlong rush; rushing recklessly
- 猛々しいたけだけしい
ferocious; fierce
- 猛火もうか
raging flames; roaring flames; raging fire
- 猛犬もうけん
fierce dog; ferocious dog; savage dog
- 猛進もうしん
rushing madly ahead
- 猛るたける
to rage; to be fierce
- 猛打もうだ
heavy blow; heavy hit
Study
Etymology
猛 combines 犭 (dog/beast) with 孟, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of fierceness or vigor. The exact historical development of the compound is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
A wild beast 犭 beside a fierce-looking 孟: imagine a savage animal rushing forward with furious strength.
Reading mnemonic
For モウ, picture a fierce beast letting out a mighty mow (like a roar): mow -> モウ, and the beast's wildness is unstoppable.