Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
莫mò(Mo4)
The character 莫 (mò) primarily conveys negation, meaning 'do not' or 'there is none who.' It is often used in literary contexts or formal expressions. Additionally, it can serve as a surname, common in Chinese culture.
Strokes10Radical艹Frequency#2823DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature, 莫 is often used in poetry and classical works to express philosophical ideas of absence or denial, reflecting cultural values around humility and restraint.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'mo'ose (莫) shaking its head in refusal, representing 'do not.' The character's form resembles a person (亻) rejecting something (木), reinforcing the meaning of negation.
Meanings of 莫
mò(Mo4)
1do not
2there is none who
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 莫
莫Simplified
10Strokes
艹Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#2823Frequency Rank
Podcast: 莫
Podcast: 莫
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 莫
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'mo'ose (莫) shaking its head in refusal, representing 'do not.' The character's form resembles a person (亻) rejecting something (木), reinforcing the meaning of negation.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 莫 with other negation words like 不 (bù) or 没 (méi), as they have slightly different uses. It is mostly used in formal or literary contexts, and learners should note its negative connotation in sentences.
HSK Study Tips
Although 莫 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with more advanced concepts of negation and literary expressions. Focus on its usage in classical texts or idiomatic phrases to enhance your understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature, 莫 is often used in poetry and classical works to express philosophical ideas of absence or denial, reflecting cultural values around humility and restraint.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up 莫 with 不, using it in inappropriate contexts. For example, saying '莫去' (mò qù) instead of '不要去' (bù yào qù) for 'do not go' is incorrect; 莫 is too formal for everyday use.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 莫
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 莫 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 莫 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 莫
莫 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 4 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.
Moreau took gold in the five-kilometre individual pursuit competition.
7
务必看看莫泽雷勒干酪是怎么制成的，在第65页。
wù bì kàn kàn mò zé léi lè gān lào shì zěn mó zhì chéng de， ， zài65 dì。
Be sure to read about how mozzarella is made, on page
8
他们花了36个小时穿过茂密的莫桑比克丛林。
tā mén huā le36 36 gè xiǎo shí chuān guò mào mì de mò sāng bǐ kè cóng。
They walked through the dense Mozambican bush for thirty six hours.
9
普里莫·德里韦拉本人是个仁慈而真诚的家长式人物。
pǔ lǐ mò· · dé lǐ wéi lā běn rén shì gè rén cí ér zhēn chéng de jiā cháng shì rén。
Primo de Rivera himself was a benevolent and sincere paternalist.
10
显然，莫扎特在二十几岁到三十刚出头时，身体非常好。
xiǎn rán， ， mò zā tè zài èr shí jī suì dào sān shí gāng chū tóu， shí ， shēn tǐ fēi。
Mozart clearly enjoyed good health throughout his twenties and early thirties.
Cultural Notes for 莫
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese literature, 莫 is often used in poetry and classical works to express philosophical ideas of absence or denial, reflecting cultural values around humility and restraint.
Yes, 莫 (Mò) is a recognized surname in China, though it is not among the most common. It can also be a character used in various expressions and idioms.
There are several idioms that incorporate 莫, such as 莫名其妙 (mò míng qí miào), which means 'inexplicable' or 'unfathomable.' These phrases often enrich the language and convey deeper meanings.
莫 (mò) can mean 'do not' or 'there is none who' in various contexts. It is often used as a negative word or to indicate absence. Additionally, it can serve as a surname.
You can use 莫 in sentences to convey negation. For example, 莫担心 (mò dānxīn) means 'do not worry.' It emphasizes the negation and can be used similarly to 不 (bù) in other contexts.
No, 莫 is more formal and often used in literary contexts, while 不 is more commonly used in everyday conversation.
It's rare in spoken language and is typically reserved for written or formal contexts.
Common phrases include '莫非' (mòfēi) meaning 'could it be that...' which expresses doubt or speculation.
