How to write 魇

魇 yǎn 〈动〉 【本义】: 梦中遇可怕的事而呻吟、惊叫 [Original meaning]: To encounter terrifying things in a dream and groan or scream. 【造字法】: 形声。从鬼，厌声。 [Character formation]: Phonetic-ideographic; composed of the elements for "ghost" and "dislike sounds." 【引】 1. 韩愈《陪杜侍御游湘西两寺独宿》：犹疑在波涛，怵惕梦成魇。 [Quotation]: Han Yu, "Accompanying Du Shiyu to Spend a Night at Two Temples in Xiangxi”: Hesitating in the waves, apprehensive that dreams turn into nightmares. 【例】 又如: 魇魔(梦魇); 魇梦(恶梦); 魇语(讲梦话) [Example usages]: Such as "nightmare"; "evil dream"; "talking in one’s sleep." 【同义】 1. 同本义 ([En.] have a nightmare) [Synonym]: Same original meaning. 【迷糊;迷惑 ([En.] delude; confuse)】 2. 迷糊;迷惑 ([En.] delude; confuse) [Meaning]: To be confused or deluded. 【引】 1. 《西游记》：原来那师父被妖术魇住，不能行走，心上明白，只是口眼难开。 [Quotation]: "Journey to the West": Originally, the master was bewitched by magical arts, unable to walk; he understood in his heart, but could neither speak nor see. 【例】 又如: 魇魔法(魇魅); 魇镇(用咒语和法术镇压降伏邪祟的一种巫术); 魇样(以前把“魔术”、“妖法”、“预言”等都称为“魇样法”，即使用法术以幻象迷惑人); 魇住(睡梦中感到身不能动，口不能言，常发生惊叫现象); 魇祟(用妖术使人迷乱) [Example usages]: Such as "bewitching magic (nightmare charm)"; "nightmare suppression (a type of sorcery that suppresses spirits with spells)"; "nightmare appearance (formerly referred to as 'magical arts', 'demon tricks', 'prophecies' etc., using spells to confuse people with illusions)"; "being unable to move or speak during sleep (commonly accompanied by screams)"; "bewitchment (causing confusion with magical arts)."