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March 24, 2026
按摩ànmó(an4mo2)
The term '按摩' (an4 mo2) means to massage or to apply pressure to the body for therapeutic purposes. It is commonly used in health and wellness contexts, particularly in traditional Chinese medicine and spas, where it is recognized for its relaxation and healing benefits.
Frequency#3156DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, massage is deeply rooted in traditional medicine practices, often regarded as essential for maintaining health and balance in life. Tui Na, a form of therapeutic massage, is commonly practiced in hospitals and health centers.
Memory Tip
Think of '按' (an4) as 'to press down' and '摩' (mo2) as 'to rub'. Imagine a gentle hand pressing and rubbing your shoulders, soothing your stress away. The sound 'an' can remind you of 'hands-on', while 'mo' sounds like 'more', as in 'more relaxation'.
Meanings of 按摩
ànmó(an4mo2)
1massage
2to massage
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 按摩
按摩Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3156Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 按摩
Podcast: 按摩
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AI Study Notes for 按摩
Quick Contrast
推拿 (tuīná) - choose 按摩 when referring specifically to massage techniques focusing on relaxation, while 推拿 emphasizes therapeutic manipulation of the body.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of '按' (an4) as 'to press down' and '摩' (mo2) as 'to rub'. Imagine a gentle hand pressing and rubbing your shoulders, soothing your stress away. The sound 'an' can remind you of 'hands-on', while 'mo' sounds like 'more', as in 'more relaxation'.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is using '按摩' inappropriately in formal contexts, where '推拿' (tui1 na2) might be more suitable. It's typically informal, used in casual conversations about relaxation or health. Be careful with tones; '按摩' uses the fourth and second tones, respectively.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, '按摩' is connected to topics of health and wellness, which often appear in advanced vocabulary. Students should focus on its usage in sentences related to personal care and relaxation practices, and recognize its relevance in discussions about traditional Chinese medicine.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, massage is deeply rooted in traditional medicine practices, often regarded as essential for maintaining health and balance in life. Tui Na, a form of therapeutic massage, is commonly practiced in hospitals and health centers.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '按摩' with '揉' (rou2), which means 'to knead' or 'to rub', but '按摩' specifically refers to massage. For example, saying '我想揉我的肩膀' (I want to rub my shoulders) is incorrect if you mean to refer to a massage; it should be '我想按摩我的肩膀'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 按摩
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Grammar Patterns of 按摩
按摩 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 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
她有时会问我想不想做个背部____。
She sometimes asks if I want a back rub.
Example Sentences for 按摩 (10)
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1
她有时会问我想不想做个背部按摩。
tā yǒu shí huì wèn wǒ xiǎng bù xiǎng zuò gè bèi bù àn mó。
She sometimes asks if I want a back rub.
2
指压按摩用于缓解肩部和颈部的紧张。
zhǐ yā àn mó yòng yú huǎn jiě jiān bù hé jǐng bù de jǐn zhāng。
Acupressure is used to release tension spots in the shoulders and neck.
Cover each part of the body with long sweeping strokes or circular motions.
7
她继续按摩又肿又疼的右脚。
tā jì xù àn mó yòu zhǒng yòu téng de yòu jiǎo。
She continued massaging her right foot, which was bruised and aching.
8
每次瑞秋过敏我都给她按摩来着!
měi cì ruì qiū guò mǐn wǒ dū gěi tā àn mó lái zháo!
I used to give them to Rachel all the time before she got allergic!
9
这个热水按摩浴缸, 陪我们度过天冷的春秋冬.
zhè gè rè shuǐ àn mó yù gāng, , péi wǒ mén dù guò tiān lěng de chūn qiū.
In the winter and spring , we used hot tub a lot.
10
他的那个地方真是太棒了——壁球场、游泳池、按摩浴池，一应俱全。
tā de nà gè dì fāng zhēn shì tài bàng le—— —— bì qiú、 cháng 、 yóu、 yǒng chí 、 àn， mó yù chí ，。
Amazing place he's got there—squash courts, swimming pool, jacuzzi, the works.
Cultural Notes for 按摩
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, massage is deeply rooted in traditional medicine practices, often regarded as essential for maintaining health and balance in life. Tui Na, a form of therapeutic massage, is commonly practiced in hospitals and health centers.
Frequently Asked Questions about 按摩
While both terms refer to massage, '按摩' (an4 mo2) is more general and often used in spas, whereas '推拿' (tui1 na2) refers to a specific type of therapeutic massage used in traditional Chinese medicine.
It's best to avoid '按摩' in very formal contexts; instead, use '推拿' or specify the type of massage to maintain professionalism.
No, while '按摩' is often associated with relaxation, it also has therapeutic purposes for pain relief and improving circulation.
