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昴 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
昴mǎoone of the 28 constellationsg, 9 strokes, radical 日, rank #51833, Very Hard
昴mǎothe Pleiadesunknown, 9 strokes, radical 日, rank #51833, Very Hard
mǎo(mao3) T3
  1. 1one of the 28 constellations
  2. 2the Pleiades
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March 24, 2026

昴mǎo(mao3)

The character 昴 (mǎo) refers specifically to one of the 28 constellations in Chinese astronomy, known as the Pleiades cluster. It is often associated with themes of navigation and guidance due to its visibility in the night sky, and it holds cultural significance in traditional Chinese astrology and folklore.

Strokes9Radical日Frequency#51833DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the Pleiades are often associated with agricultural practices, as their visibility marks important seasonal changes. This connection highlights the importance of celestial bodies in traditional Chinese farming calendars.

Memory Tip

Imagine a bright, shining star cluster (the Pleiades) illuminating the night sky. The character 昴 looks like a sun (日) rising above a mountain (高), symbolizing guidance and navigation through the darkness. Remember 'mǎo' as 'my star' leading the way.

Meanings of 昴

mǎo(mao3)
1one of the 28 constellations
2the Pleiades
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 昴

昴Simplified
9Strokes
日Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 昴

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Podcast: 昴

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AI Study Notes for 昴

Usage Notes

This character is more commonly used in formal or literary contexts, particularly in discussions about astronomy or astrology. A common mistake is confusing 昴 with similar characters; pay attention to context to avoid misunderstandings. Note that the pronunciation (mǎo) has a third tone, which can be easily confused with other tones.

HSK Study Tips

Although 昴 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with themes of nature and celestial bodies found in higher-level HSK words. Students should focus on recognizing it in literature or discussions around astronomy to enhance their vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 昴 by using a different tone, such as máo or mào, which alters the meaning. Additionally, some may confuse it with similar characters; ensure to practice its unique form and usage.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 昴

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Etymology of 昴

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

sun

Semantic (meaning)日
+
Phonetic (sound)卯
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

昴 = 日 + 卯. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 昴

IDS Structure⿱日卯
昴Full Character
=
日Ri4
top
卯mao3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 昴?

How to say one of the 28 constellations in Chinese

“one of the 28 constellations” in Chinese is昴mǎo

The character 昴 (mǎo) refers specifically to one of the 28 constellations in Chinese astronomy, known as the Pleiades cluster. It is often associated with themes of navigation and guidance due to its visibility in the night sky, and it holds cultural significance in traditional Chinese astrology and folklore.

When to use 昴

This character is more commonly used in formal or literary contexts, particularly in discussions about astronomy or astrology. A common mistake is confusing 昴 with similar characters; pay attention to context to avoid misunderstandings. Note that the pronunciation (mǎo) has a third tone, which can be easily confused with other tones.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mispronounce 昴 by using a different tone, such as máo or mào, which alters the meaning. Additionally, some may confuse it with similar characters; ensure to practice its unique form and usage.

Write 昴

昴

Practice writing 昴 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 昴

Words Containing This Character2
昴mǎothe Pleiades
昴星团Pleiades M45昴星團
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 昴

What does 昴星团 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 昴

昴 is primarily used in literary and astronomical contexts, particularly when discussing constellations or astrology.

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