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March 24, 2026
捫mén(men2)
The character 捫 (mén) means to stoke, pat, or grope, often implying a gentle touch or feeling along a surface. It is commonly used in contexts where one might feel for something or check the texture of an object. This character conveys a sense of careful interaction with the environment or an object.
Strokes11Radical扌Frequency#98759DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the act of feeling or touching is important for diagnosis, such as feeling the pulse to assess health. This character reflects a cultural appreciation for tactile interaction in understanding the world.
Memory Tip
Imagine a hand (the radical 扌) gently stroking a soft surface, like a pet's fur or a warm blanket, while saying 'men' softly to calm it. The gesture of patting or feeling aligns with the sound of 'mén', creating a vivid image of touch.
Meanings of 捫
mén(men2)
1to stoke, to pat; to grope, to feel
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About 捫
捫Simplified
11Strokes
扌Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 捫
Podcast: 捫
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AI Study Notes for 捫
Quick Contrast
摸 (mō) vs 捧 (pěng) — choose 捫 for a gentle, exploratory touch rather than a more forceful or supportive action.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a hand (the radical 扌) gently stroking a soft surface, like a pet's fur or a warm blanket, while saying 'men' softly to calm it. The gesture of patting or feeling aligns with the sound of 'mén', creating a vivid image of touch.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 捫 with similar-sounding verbs that imply harsher actions. This word is more informal and is often used in everyday conversation rather than formal writing. Common collocations include 捫摸 (mēn mō, to touch or feel gently) and 捫心 (mēn xīn, to feel one's heart).
HSK Study Tips
While 捫 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other verbs related to physical interaction, such as 摸 (mō, to touch) and 抓 (zhuā, to grab). Students should focus on the context of gentle versus assertive actions when learning related vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the act of feeling or touching is important for diagnosis, such as feeling the pulse to assess health. This character reflects a cultural appreciation for tactile interaction in understanding the world.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 捫 with 摸 (mō), which is more general and can imply stronger actions. For example, saying '我捫一下桌子' (Wǒ mén yīxià zhuōzi) incorrectly suggests a gentler touch, whereas '我摸一下桌子' (Wǒ mō yīxià zhuōzi) is more appropriate.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 捫
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Cultural Notes for 捫
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine, the act of feeling or touching is important for diagnosis, such as feeling the pulse to assess health. This character reflects a cultural appreciation for tactile interaction in understanding the world.
Word Family of 捫
Words Containing This Character3
扪心自问to ask oneself honestly捫心自問
扪ménto cover捫
扪心无愧lit. look into one's heart, no shame (idiom); with a clear conscience捫心無愧
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 扪心自问 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 捫
No, 捫 is generally used in informal contexts and everyday conversation.
Primarily, it conveys gentleness; however, context can allow for a broader interpretation of 'feeling'.
Common phrases include 捫摸 (to touch gently) and 捫心 (to feel one's heart).
