strange, unfamiliar; a foot path between rice fields
a, 8 strokes, radical 阝, rank #22217, Hard
mò(mo4) T4
1raised path
2street
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March 24, 2026
陌mò(mo4)
The character 陌 (mò) primarily refers to a raised path or street, often associated with rural areas. In a broader context, it also conveys notions of strangeness or unfamiliarity, emphasizing the idea of being in an unknown or foreign place. This character is commonly used in literary contexts and can suggest a sense of distance or separation.
Strokes8Radical阝Frequency#22217DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In ancient China, paths like those described by 陌 were essential for travel and trade in rural areas, highlighting the importance of connectivity in agricultural societies. The use of the term in poetry often evokes a sense of nostalgia or longing for the familiar.
Memory Tip
Imagine a raised path (the radical '阜' suggests a hill or elevated area) leading to a mysterious, unfamiliar place. Picture walking down this path and feeling a sense of strangeness as you encounter new sights and sounds, helping you remember '陌' sounds like 'mò' and means 'strange'.
Meanings of 陌
mò(mo4)
1raised path
2street
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 陌
陌Simplified
8Strokes
阝Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#22217Frequency Rank
Podcast: 陌
Podcast: 陌
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AI Study Notes for 陌
Quick Contrast
陌 (mò) vs 陌生 (mòshēng) — use 陌 when referring specifically to a path or street, while 陌生 emphasizes unfamiliarity or strangeness.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a raised path (the radical '阜' suggests a hill or elevated area) leading to a mysterious, unfamiliar place. Picture walking down this path and feeling a sense of strangeness as you encounter new sights and sounds, helping you remember '陌' sounds like 'mò' and means 'strange'.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 陌 with similar characters due to pronunciation. It's primarily used in written contexts, so be aware of its formal tone. Common collocations include 陌生 (mòshēng), meaning 'strange' or 'unfamiliar', which can help reinforce its meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Though 陌 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, it offers insights into related words at this level, such as 陌生. Students should focus on memorizing its components and meanings, as well as practicing its use in sentences to enhance fluency.
Cultural Note
In ancient China, paths like those described by 陌 were essential for travel and trade in rural areas, highlighting the importance of connectivity in agricultural societies. The use of the term in poetry often evokes a sense of nostalgia or longing for the familiar.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 陌 with the character 末 (mò), which means 'end'. An incorrect example is using 陌 in contexts meant for 末, such as 'the end of the street', which should be translated as 街的末尾 (jiē de mòwěi).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 陌
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Grammar Patterns of 陌
陌 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 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.
The very notion of price competition is foreign to many schools.
4
如果有陌生人拦你的车，把车窗摇下一点点就行。
rú guǒ yǒu mò shēng rén lán nǐ de chē， ， bǎ chē chuāng yáo xià yī diǎn diǎn jiù。
If a stranger stops you, just wind the window down a fraction.
5
谁也不知道那个神秘陌生人的身世.
shuí yě bù zhī dào nà gè shén mì mò shēng rén de shēn shì.
No one knew the antecedents of the mysterious stranger.
6
那边的陌生人是谁?
nà biān de mò shēng rén shì shuí?
Who is that strange man over there?
7
这只狗对陌生人吠叫.
zhè zhī gǒu duì mò shēng rén fèi jiào.
The dog barks at strangers.
8
他是认路的行家，即使在陌生的环境中也是如此。
tā shì rèn lù de háng jiā， ， jí shǐ zài mò shēng de huán jìng zhōng yě shì rú。
He was an expert at finding his way, even in strange surroundings.
9
他们现在开始意识到那些心地善良的陌生人帮了他们多大的忙。
tā mén xiàn zài kāi shǐ yì shí dào nà xiē xīn dì shàn liáng de mò shēng rén bāng le tā mén duō dà de máng。
They are now realising just how much they owe to kind-hearted strangers.
10
年龄越大，世界对我而言就变得越陌生、越难理解。
nián líng yuè dà， ， shì jiè duì wǒ ér yán jiù biàn dé yuè mò、 shēng 、 yuè nán。
The older I grow, the stranger and less explicable the world appears to me.
Cultural Notes for 陌
🏮Cultural insight
In ancient China, paths like those described by 陌 were essential for travel and trade in rural areas, highlighting the importance of connectivity in agricultural societies. The use of the term in poetry often evokes a sense of nostalgia or longing for the familiar.
Word Family of 陌
Words Containing This Character6
陌生人stranger
陌生mòshēngstrange
陌mòstreet
陌路(literary) stranger
田陌fields
柳陌花衢brothel
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 陌生人 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 陌
The pronunciation is 'mò', with a falling tone. Practice saying it with emphasis on the tone.
While it's more commonly found in written texts, it can be used in conversation to describe unfamiliar places or situations.
A common phrase is 陌生人 (mòshēngrén), which means 'stranger'.
