adjective / verb HSK 4
flustered · panicked · nervous · to panic
Meaning
慌 describes a state of nervousness, panic, or confusion when someone loses their composure, often due to unexpected circumstances or pressure. It conveys the feeling of being flustered or unable to think clearly.
Usage
Commonly used to describe emotional states in stressful situations. Often appears in compound words like 慌张 (huāngzhāng, flustered) or 慌忙 (huāngmáng, hurriedly). Can function as an adjective ('feeling panicked') or as a verb ('to panic'). Native speakers frequently use 别慌 (bié huāng) to tell someone 'don't panic.'
Examples
- 01别慌，我们还有时间。, .Don't panic, we still have time.
- 02她一紧张就慌了，连话都说不清楚。, .Once she gets nervous, she panics and can't even speak clearly.
Common collocations
- 别慌don't panic
- 慌忙hastily, in a flurry
- 心慌to feel flustered
- 慌乱frantic, chaotic
Antonyms
Origin
The character combines the heart radical 忄(heart/emotion) on the left with 荒 (huāng, wild/desolate) on the right, suggesting the emotional state of a 'wild' or 'chaotic' heart.