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March 24, 2026
穆mù(Mu4)
The character 穆 (mù) conveys a sense of majesty and solemnity, often associated with reverence or calmness. It can refer to a burial position in ancestral tombs, highlighting its connection to respect for ancestors in Chinese culture, and it is also used as a surname.
Strokes16Radical禾Frequency#13668DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
穆 is often linked to ancestral worship in Chinese culture, where reverence for forebears is an essential practice. It underscores the importance of maintaining solemnity during rituals and ceremonies honoring ancestors.
Memory Tip
Imagine a majestic mountain (山) shrouded in calm mist (雾), representing the serene and dignified aura of 穆. The character's structure combines elements that evoke a sense of grandeur and tranquility, helping you remember its meaning.
Meanings of 穆
mù(Mu4)
1majestic; reverent, solemn
2calm
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 穆 means.
About 穆
穆Simplified
16Strokes
禾Radical
其它专名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 穆
Podcast: 穆
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AI Study Notes for 穆
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 穆 with similar-sounding characters like 默 (mò), which means silent. 穆 is typically used in more formal contexts, especially related to respect or tradition, so be mindful of your register when using it.
HSK Study Tips
Although 穆 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with words about reverence and respect, which may appear in advanced levels. Students should focus on its usage in cultural contexts, particularly in discussions about ancestry and traditions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 穆 in informal contexts where a more casual term would suffice. For example, using 穆 in everyday conversation about family can sound overly formal; instead, use simpler terms related to family or ancestors.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 穆
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How Well Do You Know 穆?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 穆 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
穆 = 禾 + 㣎. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 穆
IDS Structure⿰禾㣎
穆Full Character
=
禾he2
left
㣎mu4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 穆?
How to say surname Mu in Chinese
“surname Mu” in Chinese is穆mù
The character 穆 (mù) conveys a sense of majesty and solemnity, often associated with reverence or calmness. It can refer to a burial position in ancestral tombs, highlighting its connection to respect for ancestors in Chinese culture, and it is also used as a surname.
When to use 穆
Common mistakes include confusing 穆 with similar-sounding characters like 默 (mò), which means silent. 穆 is typically used in more formal contexts, especially related to respect or tradition, so be mindful of your register when using it.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 穆 in informal contexts where a more casual term would suffice. For example, using 穆 in everyday conversation about family can sound overly formal; instead, use simpler terms related to family or ancestors.
Write 穆
穆
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Practice writing 穆 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 穆
穆 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 5 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.
“国有企业经营不善将是常态，”约翰·____尔告诉读者。
"State-owned industries will always perform poorly," John Moore informed readers.
Nov. 27: Signed RHP Mike Mussina to two - year extension.
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Word Family of 穆
Words Containing This Character11
穆斯林mùsīlínMuslim
穆mùsolemn
穆罕默德Mohammed (c. 570-632), central figure of Islam and prophet of God
珠穆朗玛峰Mt Everest珠穆朗瑪峰
穆沙拉夫Pervez Musharraf (1943-), Pakistani general and politician, president 2001-2008
肃穆serene肅穆
穆萨维Moussavi, Mir Hussein (1941-), candidate in Iran's disputed 2009 elections穆薩維
穆迪Moody's, company specializing in financial market ratings
穆巴拉克Hosni Mubarak (1928-), former Egyptian President and military commander
穆桂英Mu Guiying, female warrior and heroine of the Yang Saga 楊家將|杨家将
喀土穆Khartoum, capital of Sudan
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 穆
What does 穆斯林 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 穆
In modern usage, 穆 often appears as a surname, but it retains its meanings related to majesty and solemnity, particularly in literary and cultural references.
It is pronounced as 'mù', with a falling tone. Practice saying it with emphasis on the tone to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding characters.
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