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March 24, 2026
毛巾máojīn(mao2jin1)
毛巾 (máojīn) refers to a towel, typically made of absorbent fabric, used for drying oneself or wiping surfaces. It is commonly used in bathrooms, kitchens, and during sports. In everyday conversations, you might hear it used when discussing personal hygiene or household items.
Frequency#4268DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, personal hygiene and cleanliness are highly valued, and having specific types of towels for different purposes, such as bathing and cooking, reflects this emphasis on cleanliness. It's common to see different colored towels for different uses in a household.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fluffy, fuzzy '毛' (máo) animal, like a sheep, whose wool is soaked with water. The '巾' (jīn) looks like a piece of cloth draped over its back, reminding you that毛巾 is a towel for drying off after a bath.
Meanings of 毛巾
máojīn(mao2jin1)
1towel
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About 毛巾
毛巾Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#4268Frequency Rank
条Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 毛巾
Podcast: 毛巾
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AI Study Notes for 毛巾
Quick Contrast
湿巾 (shījīn, wet wipe) - use 毛巾 for drying, while 湿巾 is for cleaning or sanitizing.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a fluffy, fuzzy '毛' (máo) animal, like a sheep, whose wool is soaked with water. The '巾' (jīn) looks like a piece of cloth draped over its back, reminding you that毛巾 is a towel for drying off after a bath.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tones; '毛' (máo) is second tone and '巾' (jīn) is first tone, which can be a common point of confusion. In informal settings, you might just say '巾' when talking about towels among friends. Common collocations include '浴毛巾' (bath towel) and '厨房毛巾' (kitchen towel).
HSK Study Tips
毛巾 is an HSK 4 vocabulary word, connecting to other household items like '桌子' (table) and '椅子' (chair). Students should focus on the context in which it is used and practice using it in sentences related to daily routines.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, personal hygiene and cleanliness are highly valued, and having specific types of towels for different purposes, such as bathing and cooking, reflects this emphasis on cleanliness. It's common to see different colored towels for different uses in a household.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse the character '巾' (jīn) with similar-sounding words. For example, saying '毛金' (máojīn) instead of '毛巾' (máojīn) can lead to misunderstandings. Always remember the correct tone and pronunciation.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 毛巾
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Grammar Patterns of 毛巾
毛巾 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
詹姆斯从卧室出来，用____擦着他湿漉漉的头发。
James came out of his bedroom, toweling his wet hair.
Example Sentences for 毛巾 (10)
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1
詹姆斯从卧室出来，用毛巾擦着他湿漉漉的头发。
zhān mǔ sī cóng wò shì chū lái， ， yòng máo jīn cā zháo tā shī lù lù de tóu。
James came out of his bedroom, toweling his wet hair.
2
她忙着把毛巾准备好。
tā máng zháo bǎ máo jīn zhǔn bèi hǎo。
She busied herself getting towels ready.
3
他用毛巾抹去余下的皂沫。
tā yòng máo jīn mǒ qù yú xià de zào mò。
He wiped off the remains of the lather with a towel.
Rub it on, then immediately wipe it off with a washcloth or tissue.
9
用柔软的毛巾将它拍干。
yòng róu ruǎn de máo jīn jiāng tā pāi gān。
Pat it dry with a soft towel.
10
莱内用毛巾把手擦干。
lái nèi yòng máo jīn bǎ shǒu cā gān。
Lainey wiped her hands on the towel.
Cultural Notes for 毛巾
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, personal hygiene and cleanliness are highly valued, and having specific types of towels for different purposes, such as bathing and cooking, reflects this emphasis on cleanliness. It's common to see different colored towels for different uses in a household.
Frequently Asked Questions about 毛巾
毛巾 refers to a fabric towel, while 纸巾 (zhǐjīn) refers to paper towels, which are disposable.
Yes, 毛巾 can refer to bath towels, hand towels, or any similar absorbent cloth used for drying.
'我需要一条毛巾' (Wǒ xūyào yī tiáo máojīn) is how you would say it.
