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摩 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
摩
mó
to rub
nz, 15 strokes, radical 手, rank #4020, Hard
摩
mó
to scour, to rub, to grind; friction
nz, 15 strokes, radical 手, rank #4020, Hard
mó(mo2)mo T2
1to rub
2to scour, to rub, to grind; friction
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March 24, 2026
摩mó(mo2)
The character 摩 (mó) primarily means 'to rub' or 'to grind,' often used in contexts involving friction or abrasion. It can refer to physical actions, such as rubbing a surface or polishing an object, as well as metaphorical uses related to effort or persistence in achieving something.
Strokes15Radical手Frequency#4020DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture,摩 (mó) is often associated with traditional practices, such as using a stone to grind herbs or spices, which reflects the importance of manual methods in Chinese cooking and herbal medicine.
Memory tip
Imagine a person named Mo who is rubbing two stones together to create fire. The action of摩 (mó) captures the essence of rubbing and grinding, just like Mo’s persistent effort to create something useful from friction.
Meanings of 摩
mó(mo2)
1to rub
2to scour, to rub, to grind; friction
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 摩
摩Simplified
15Strokes
手Radical
其它专名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#4020Frequency Rank
Podcast: 摩
Podcast: 摩
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AI study notes for 摩
Quick Contrast
磨 (mó) vs 搓 (cuō) — use 摩 for actions involving rubbing or grinding surfaces, while 磨 emphasizes the grinding action often associated with food preparation or sharpening tools.
Usage Notes
摩 (mó) is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is often associated with specific actions like polishing (摩擦 'friction') or grinding (磨粉 'to grind powder'). Be careful with the tones; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
Though摩 (mó) is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects well with other verbs related to actions (like 磨 mǒ 'to grind' and 刮 guā 'to scrape'). Focus on practicing its use in compound words to expand your vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse摩 (mó) with磨 (mó), which means 'to grind.' For instance, saying '我在摩咖啡' (Wǒ zài mó kāfēi) incorrectly suggests rubbing coffee instead of grinding it; the correct phrase is '我在磨咖啡' (Wǒ zài mó kāfēi).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 摩
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摩 = 手 + 麻. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 摩
IDS Structure⿸麻手
摩Full character
=
麻ma2
enclosing
手shou3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 摩?
How to say to rub in Chinese
“to rub” in Chinese is摩mó
The character 摩 (mó) primarily means 'to rub' or 'to grind,' often used in contexts involving friction or abrasion. It can refer to physical actions, such as rubbing a surface or polishing an object, as well as metaphorical uses related to effort or persistence in achieving something.
When to use 摩
摩 (mó) is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is often associated with specific actions like polishing (摩擦 'friction') or grinding (磨粉 'to grind powder'). Be careful with the tones; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.
摩 or something close to it
磨 (mó) vs 搓 (cuō) — use 摩 for actions involving rubbing or grinding surfaces, while 磨 emphasizes the grinding action often associated with food preparation or sharpening tools.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse摩 (mó) with磨 (mó), which means 'to grind.' For instance, saying '我在摩咖啡' (Wǒ zài mó kāfēi) incorrectly suggests rubbing coffee instead of grinding it; the correct phrase is '我在磨咖啡' (Wǒ zài mó kāfēi).
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摩
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Grammar patterns of 摩
摩 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
持枪歹徒坐上一辆由同伙驾驶的____托车逃逸。
The gunman escaped on a motorcycle being ridden by an accomplice.
Common confusions with 摩
摩vs磨
mó
Same pronunciation but different meaning and usage.
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Cultural Notes for 摩
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, the action of rubbing or 摩 can be seen in traditional practices, such as rubbing hands together for warmth during cold seasons. It symbolizes energy and vitality.
摩根士丹利mógēnshìdānlìMorgan Stanley (financial services company)
揣摩chuǎimóto analyze
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 摩
What does 按摩 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 摩
Yes, 摩 (mó) appears in idioms such as 摩擦 (mócā), which means 'friction' or 'conflict.' This idiom can be used to describe situations where there is a disagreement or tension between parties.
Synonyms for 摩 (mó) include 擦 (cā), which means 'to wipe' or 'to rub,' and 磨 (mó), which means 'to grind' or 'to mill.' Each of these words can convey slightly different nuances depending on the context.
You can use 摩 (mó) in sentences to describe actions involving rubbing or grinding. For example, '我在摩擦这个表面' means 'I am rubbing this surface.' It's commonly used in both literal and metaphorical contexts.
摩 (mó) means 'to rub' or 'to grind' in Chinese. It can also refer to friction or the act of scouring a surface. This character is often used in contexts related to rubbing objects together or creating friction.
Common phrases include 摩擦 (mócā, 'friction') and 摩托车 (mótuōchē, 'motorcycle'), where摩 indicates the action related to rubbing or grinding.
摩 is pronounced as 'mó' with a rising tone; practice by saying 'mo' and letting your voice rise towards the end.
Yes,摩 can be used metaphorically to describe persistent effort in overcoming obstacles or challenges.
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