Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Primitive; uncivilized; barbaric: Describes a state of human society or culture that is extremely early, undeveloped, and lacking in knowledge, enlightenment, or social organization.
   • Obscure; murky; dim: Describes something that is vague, unclear, or shrouded in darkness, often referring to a distant, poorly understood historical period.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Thời kỳ mông muội của lịch sử loài người. (The primitive/obscure era of human history.)
  • Những tập tục mông muội. (Barbaric customs.)
  • Kiến thức về giai đoạn đó còn rất mông muội. (Knowledge about that period is still very obscure.)

Advanced Usage

• Used primarily in formal or literary contexts to describe ancient, pre-civilizational times or a profound lack of intellectual and cultural development.
• Often carries a negative connotation, contrasting with "văn minh" (civilized).

Variants and Related Words

• U mê (adj): ignorant, benighted; focuses on a lack of understanding or spiritual enlightenment.
• Hoang dã (adj): wild, savage; focuses more on the natural, untamed state rather than intellectual obscurity.
• Tối tăm (adj): dark, gloomy; can describe both physical darkness and a period of ignorance.

Synonyms

• Primitive: relating to an early stage of development.
• Barbaric: savagely cruel or uncivilized.
• Obscure: not clearly understood or known.

Related Idioms

• Thời kỳ đồ đá mông muội: The primitive Stone Age.
• Sống trong cảnh mông muội: To live in a state of ignorance/barbarism.

1. Foggy, misty, hazy
   • Thời kỳ mông muội của lịch sử loài người
     The misty beginning times of humman history