Meanings of 摹
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About 摹
Podcast: 摹
Podcast: 摹
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AI Study Notes for 摹
临 (lín) - use 临 when referring to 'to copy' in the sense of writing or drawing directly from a model, while 摹 emphasizes tracing or imitating with precision.
Learners often confuse 摹 with its synonyms like 复制 (fùzhì), which means to reproduce or duplicate more broadly. This word is more specific to tracing or imitating in a detailed manner. It is generally used in more formal contexts, especially in art and literature.
Although 摹 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it parallels words like 画 (huà, to draw) and 模仿 (mófǎng, to imitate). Students should focus on the context in which 摹 is used, particularly in artistic expressions, to better grasp its nuance.
Learners may mistakenly use 摹 in casual contexts where a more general term like 复制 (fùzhì) would be appropriate. For example, saying '我想摹这本书' (Wǒ xiǎng mó zhè běn shū) to mean 'I want to copy this book' is incorrect; instead, use 复制 (fùzhì).
Pronunciation of 摹
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Jason Explains 摹 to You
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Learning Lab
Knowing 摹 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Etymology of 摹
Phonosemantic compound. 手 represents the meaning and 莫 represents the sound.
hand
Origin
摹 = 手 + 莫. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 摹
Parts
Which of these is part of 摹?
How to say to trace; to imitate, to copy; pattern in Chinese
“to trace; to imitate, to copy; pattern” in Chinese is摹
The character 摹 (mó) primarily means 'to trace' or 'to imitate.' It is often used in contexts where one replicates a pattern or model, particularly in artistic or literary endeavors. The nuance of the word can imply a sense of precision in copying, suggesting that the imitation is not just superficial but aims to capture the essence of the original.
When to use 摹
Learners often confuse 摹 with its synonyms like 复制 (fùzhì), which means to reproduce or duplicate more broadly. This word is more specific to tracing or imitating in a detailed manner. It is generally used in more formal contexts, especially in art and literature.
摹 or something close to it
临 (lín) - use 临 when referring to 'to copy' in the sense of writing or drawing directly from a model, while 摹 emphasizes tracing or imitating with precision.
What learners get wrong
Learners may mistakenly use 摹 in casual contexts where a more general term like 复制 (fùzhì) would be appropriate. For example, saying '我想摹这本书' (Wǒ xiǎng mó zhè běn shū) to mean 'I want to copy this book' is incorrect; instead, use 复制 (fùzhì).
Write 摹
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Practice writing 摹 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 摹
摹 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
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她通过描____旧故事书上的图画学会了画画。
She learned to draw by tracing pictures out of old storybooks.
Example Sentences for 摹 (3)
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Word Family of 摹
Words with 摹
What does 临摹 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 摹
You can say '他在摹写这幅画' (Tā zài móxiě zhè fú huà), meaning 'He is tracing this painting.'
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