noun / adjective HSK 5
Traditional 奧妙
ào miào
secret · mystery · profound mystery · subtle and ingenious

Meaning

奥妙 refers to the profound, mysterious, or subtle aspects of something that are not immediately apparent. It describes the hidden intricacies, secrets, or ingenious details within a system, process, or phenomenon. The word carries a sense of depth and sophistication.

Usage

Commonly used in written and formal contexts to describe the hidden workings or deeper meanings of things. Often appears in phrases like 其中的奥妙 (the mystery/secret within it) or 奥妙无穷 (infinitely mysterious). Can function as both a noun meaning 'mystery/secret' or as an adjective meaning 'mysterious/subtle'.

Examples

  1. 01
    只有深入研究,才能理解其中的奥妙
    Zhǐyǒu shēnrù yánjiū, cái néng lǐjiě zhōng de ào miào.
    Only through in-depth research can one understand the mysteries within.
  2. 02
    大自然的奥妙让科学家们着迷。
    zìrán de ào miào ràng kēxuéjiā men zháomí.
    The mysteries of nature fascinate scientists.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 奥妙无穷
    ào miào qióng
    infinitely mysterious
  • 其中的奥妙
    zhōng de ào miào
    the secret/mystery within it
  • 奥妙之处
    ào miào zhī chù
    the mysterious aspect

Antonyms

Origin

奥 originally meant 'deep interior' or 'innermost room' and evolved to mean 'profound' or 'obscure.' 妙 means 'wonderful' or 'ingenious.' Together they describe something profoundly ingenious or mysteriously wonderful.

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