HSK 2, zg, 12 strokes, radical 巾, rank #4278, Hard
帽
mào
hat, cap
HSK 2, zg, 12 strokes, radical 巾, rank #4278, Hard
帽
mào
old variant of 帽[mao4]
HSK 2, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 巾, rank #4278, Hard
mào(mao4) T4
1old variant of 帽[mào]
2hat, cap
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March 24, 2026
帽(㡌)mào(mao4)
The character 帽 (mào) refers to a hat or cap, typically worn for protection against the weather or as a fashion accessory. It can denote various types of headgear, from simple caps to more elaborate hats, and is commonly used in everyday conversations about clothing and fashion.
Strokes12Radical巾Frequency#4278DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, hats can signify social status or traditional roles, such as the iconic '斗笠' (dǒulì - bamboo hat) worn by farmers. Hats can also be linked to specific festivals or celebrations, showcasing different styles and cultural significance.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person wearing a large hat (帽) that has a 'M' shape at the top, resembling a mountain range. The hat protects them from rain, just as the 'M' sound starts with a protective, muffled sound when you say it. This visual and auditory connection can help you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 帽
mào(mao4)
1hat, cap
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 帽
帽Simplified
㡌Traditional
12Strokes
巾Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#4278Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2
Podcast: 帽
Podcast: 帽
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AI Study Notes for 帽
Quick Contrast
帽 (mào) vs 头巾 (tóujīn) — use 帽 for hats and caps, while 头巾 specifically refers to a headscarf or turban.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person wearing a large hat (帽) that has a 'M' shape at the top, resembling a mountain range. The hat protects them from rain, just as the 'M' sound starts with a protective, muffled sound when you say it. This visual and auditory connection can help you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
When using 帽 in conversation, ensure you know the context, as it can describe both casual and formal headwear. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words that refer to other clothing items. Common collocations include '运动帽' (sports cap) and '冬帽' (winter hat).
HSK Study Tips
While 帽 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it connects to other clothing-related vocabulary, such as 衣 (yī - clothing) and 裙 (qún - skirt). Students should focus on pronunciation and context usage to enhance vocabulary related to fashion and accessories.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, hats can signify social status or traditional roles, such as the iconic '斗笠' (dǒulì - bamboo hat) worn by farmers. Hats can also be linked to specific festivals or celebrations, showcasing different styles and cultural significance.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 帽 with other similar characters like 毛 (máo - fur) due to the similar pronunciation. Remember that 帽 specifically refers to hats or caps. An example of a common mistake is saying '我有一毛' (wǒ yǒu yī máo - I have one fur) instead of '我有一帽' (wǒ yǒu yī mào - I have one hat).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 帽
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Grammar Patterns of 帽
帽 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
They were all in top hats and cutaways despite the growing heat.
9
他的长靴和紫色贝雷帽表明他统领着苏格兰伞兵部队。
tā de cháng xuē hé zǐ sè bèi léi mào biǎo míng tā tǒng lǐng zháo sū gé lán sǎn bīng bù duì。
His boots and purple beret identify him as commanding the Scottish Paratroops.
10
他戴着一顶巴拿马草帽,穿着一身挺括的白西装。
tā dài zháo yī dǐng bā ná mǎ cǎo mào, , chuān zháo yī shēn tǐng kuò de bái xī。
He wore a panama hat and a crisp white suit.
Cultural Notes for 帽
💡Did you know?
In ancient China, hats were not just for fashion; they indicated social status. Different shapes and colors represented various ranks in society.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, hats can signify social status or traditional roles, such as the iconic '斗笠' (dǒulì - bamboo hat) worn by farmers. Hats can also be linked to specific festivals or celebrations, showcasing different styles and cultural significance.
Word Family of 帽
Words Containing This Character19
帽子màozihat
帽màohat
草帽straw hat
衣帽间cloakroom衣帽間
礼帽Western-style man's hat禮帽
安全帽safety helmet
绿帽子cuckold綠帽子
戴帽子to wear a hat
贝雷帽beret (loanword)貝雷帽
乌纱帽fig. official post烏紗帽
鸭舌帽peaked cap鴨舌帽
浴帽shower cap
帽檐brim (of a hat)
扣帽子power word
螺帽nut (female component of nut and bolt)
摘帽lit. to take off a hat
高帽子dunce cap
笔帽the cap of a pen, pencil, or writing brush筆帽
纱帽gauze hat紗帽
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 帽子 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 帽
帽 (mào) specifically refers to hats or caps, while 头巾 (tóu jīn) refers to a headscarf or headband. Both are types of headwear, but they serve different purposes and styles in Chinese culture.
Yes, there are various types of 帽 (mào) in Chinese, including baseball caps (棒球帽), winter hats (冬帽), and traditional hats (传统帽). Each type serves a specific purpose and may have cultural significance.
帽 (mào) means 'hat' or 'cap' in Chinese. It can refer to various types of headwear, traditionally used for protection against the elements or as a fashion accessory. The character is an old variant that has evolved over time but retains its meaning related to head coverings.
You can use 帽 (mào) in a sentence like '我戴了一顶帽子' (Wǒ dài le yī dǐng mào), which means 'I am wearing a hat.' It can also be used in expressions related to types of hats or to describe the action of wearing a hat.
You can refer to any type of hat or cap, including baseball caps, winter hats, and traditional headwear.
Yes, expressions like '帽子戏法' (màozi xìfǎ - hat trick) can have unique meanings in specific contexts.
The correct pronunciation is 'mào', with a falling tone.