‘浓雾’ literally combines ‘浓’ (nóng), meaning ‘thick’, ‘dense’, or ‘intense’, and ‘雾’ (wù), meaning ‘fog’ or ‘mist’. Together, they form a compound noun meaning ‘thick fog’—a dense, low-lying cloud of tiny water droplets that significantly reduces visibility outdoors. It emphasizes the density and opacity of the fog, distinguishing it from lighter forms like ‘薄雾’ (bó wù, ‘light mist’).

This word is commonly used in weather reports, travel advisories, transportation announcements, and descriptive writing about natural scenery or urban environments. It often appears in contexts involving safety concerns—such as reduced visibility for drivers or pilots—or atmospheric imagery in literature and news. While ‘雾’ alone can refer to any fog, adding ‘浓’ specifies severity, making it more precise and vivid in both spoken and written Chinese.