Meanings of 摸
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About 摸
Podcast: 摸
Podcast: 摸
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AI Study Notes for 摸
抚 (fǔ) - use 摸 (mō) for a more exploratory or casual touch, while 抚 (fǔ) conveys a gentler, more affectionate gesture.
Imagine a person gently 'mó' (摸) their dog's fur to feel its softness. The character has the radical for hand (扌) on the left, reminding you that it relates to touching. Picture the 'mō' sound as a soft whisper while you touch something tenderly.
Be cautious with the context in which you use 摸, as it can imply intimacy or inappropriate touching if misused. It is generally informal; for more formal contexts, consider using other verbs. Common collocations include 摸索 (mōsuǒ, to grope or feel around) and 摸摸 (mōmō, to touch gently).
As an HSK Level 5 word, 摸 connects well with other action verbs and sensory-related vocabulary. Focus on its usage in context to distinguish it from similar verbs like 触 (chù, to touch) and 抓 (zhuā, to grab). Practice forming sentences that incorporate tactile experiences.
In Chinese culture, the act of touch can carry significant meaning, often associated with care and affection. For instance, parents may 摸 (mō) their children's foreheads to check for fever, demonstrating a nurturing instinct.
Learners often confuse 摸 with similar verbs like 触 (chù) or 抓 (zhuā). For example, saying '我触他的手' (Wǒ chù tā de shǒu) instead of '我摸他的手' (Wǒ mō tā de shǒu) can change the intended meaning from a simple touch to a more formal or clinical sense.
Pronunciation of 摸
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Etymology of 摸
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 莫 represents the sound.
hand
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 摸?
Decomposition of 摸
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 摸?
Write 摸
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Practice writing 摸 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 摸
摸 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. It carries 8 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.
Complete the Sentence
奶奶每次来都要____这摸那，看看家里有没有变化。
Every time grandma visits, she touches everything to see if anything has changed at home.
Common Confusions with 摸
Similar sound, but refers more to friction rather than touching.
Similar sound and meaning (to imitate), but different characters.
摸 refers to touching or feeling with the hand, while 摹 refers to imitating or copying (e.g., art).
他在摸索这个问题的答案。(He is trying to feel out the answer to this question.)
摸 refers to touching or feeling with the hand, while 摹 refers to imitating or copying (e.g., art).
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to feel with the hand"?
Example Sentences for 摸 (10)
Cultural Notes for 摸
In Chinese culture, the act of touch can carry significant meaning, often associated with care and affection. For instance, parents may 摸 (mō) their children's foreheads to check for fever, demonstrating a nurturing instinct.
Word Family of 摸
Compound Meaning
What does 摸 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 摸
Yes, 摸 is often used in Chinese idioms and phrases. For example, '摸清楚' (mō qīngchǔ) means to figure something out clearly. It emphasizes understanding a situation more thoroughly, often through careful observation or interaction.