忙

Etymology & Components

The Chinese character 忙 (máng) is composed of two parts: the radical 心 (xīn), which means "heart" or "mind", and the phonetic component 亡 (wáng), which means "to die" or "to perish". The combination of these two components suggests the idea of being so preoccupied with something that one's mind is racing and one feels like they are about to die. This character is often used to describe a state of being busy or occupied, and can also be used to express a sense of urgency or haste. In addition to its literal meaning, 忙 can also be used figuratively to describe a person who is always busy or preoccupied, or to refer to a situation that is chaotic or hectic.