Meanings of 捫
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 捫
Podcast: 捫
Podcast: 捫
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 捫
摸 (mō) vs 捧 (pěng) — choose 捫 for a gentle, exploratory touch rather than a more forceful or supportive action.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Pronunciation of 捫
Drill the tone of 捫 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 捫
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 门 represents the sound. Simplified form of 捫.
hand
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 捫?
Decomposition of 捫
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 捫?
Write 捫
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 捫 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Cultural Notes for 捫
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
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.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 捫?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.