妄

A phono-semantic compound consisting of:

女 — semantic component, (originally indicating “woman,” later often used for phonetic/semantic extension)

亡 — phonetic component (망), providing the sound

The character originally conveyed the idea of “disorderly, improper, excessive”, and later developed meanings such as “presumptuous,” “deluded,” “absurd,” “groundless.”

《論語》 (The Analects)

「子曰：民可使由之，不可使知之。」

"The Master said: The people may be led to follow the path, but they cannot be made to understand it."

Later commentaries use 妄 to describe “妄作妄為” — acting recklessly.

《孟子》 (Mencius)

「妄言者，罪之大者也。」

“To speak recklessly is among the gravest faults.”

《廣雅》 (Guangya)

「妄，誕也。」

“妄 means ‘fabricated, absurd.’”