漫画 (màn huà) is a noun meaning 'comic' or 'manga'—a narrative art form using sequential illustrations, often with text, to tell stories. The character 漫 (màn) means 'unrestrained', 'free-flowing', or 'leisurely', suggesting spontaneity and creativity; 画 (huà) means 'picture' or 'drawing'. Together, they evoke the idea of expressive, imaginative visual storytelling—not just any drawing, but one with narrative flow and artistic freedom.

This term is widely used across Chinese-speaking regions for both domestic comics and Japanese manga, though context usually clarifies the origin. It appears in bookstores, online platforms, school clubs, and cultural discussions. While originally neutral, 漫画 now carries positive connotations of youthfulness, creativity, and accessible storytelling—often contrasted with more formal genres like novels or academic texts.