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March 24, 2026
魔mó(mo2)
The character 魔 (mó) refers to concepts associated with evil spirits, demons, and magic. It is commonly used in contexts involving supernatural elements, such as stories, folklore, and discussions about the occult. The nuance of the term often conveys a sense of malevolence or dark magic.
Strokes20Radical鬼Frequency#1879DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 魔 is often associated with traditional beliefs about spirits and the supernatural, particularly in folklore and festivals such as the Hungry Ghost Festival. The character reflects deep-rooted fears and narratives surrounding evil spirits.
Memory Tip
Imagine a magician conjuring a devilish figure from a cauldron; the character 魔 resembles a person with a mischievous grin (the magic) and a tail (the devil). The 'mó' sound can remind you of 'more magic' – think of the dark magic you might find in a thrilling novel.
Meanings of 魔
mó(mo2)
1devil
2magic
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 魔
魔Simplified
20Strokes
鬼Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1879Frequency Rank
Podcast: 魔
Podcast: 魔
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AI Study Notes for 魔
Quick Contrast
妖 (yāo) - refers to a supernatural being or spirit, often with a more playful or mischievous connotation compared to 魔, which has a stronger association with malevolence.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a magician conjuring a devilish figure from a cauldron; the character 魔 resembles a person with a mischievous grin (the magic) and a tail (the devil). The 'mó' sound can remind you of 'more magic' – think of the dark magic you might find in a thrilling novel.
Usage Notes
魔 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in literature and popular media. Be careful not to confuse it with 亡 (wáng), which means 'to perish'—the two can sound similar but have significantly different meanings. Common collocations include 魔法 (mófǎ, magic) and 魔鬼 (móguǐ, devil).
HSK Study Tips
While 魔 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, it connects with words related to fantasy and the supernatural that might appear in higher levels. Focus on understanding its usage in literature and media to enrich vocabulary related to themes of magic.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 魔 is often associated with traditional beliefs about spirits and the supernatural, particularly in folklore and festivals such as the Hungry Ghost Festival. The character reflects deep-rooted fears and narratives surrounding evil spirits.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 魔 with 妈 (mā, mother) due to their similar pronunciation. For example, saying '魔' when you mean '妈' can lead to misunderstandings. Always remember that 魔 relates to spirits and magic, while 妈 refers to family.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 魔
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Grammar Patterns of 魔
魔 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 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
这位斗士相信自己仍然可以恢复从前的一些____力。
The fighter believes he can still regain some of his old magic.
shǒu xiān, , yīng fǎ liǎng guó jiào shì jiāng é guó dōng zhèng jiào yāo mó huà wéi yī zhǒng bàn yì jiào xìn.
First, British and French clerics demonised Russian Orthodoxy as a semi - pagan creed.
8
男巫通常用魔杖来施魔法.
nán wū tōng cháng yòng mó zhàng lái shī mó fǎ.
Wizards usually use magic wands to perform spells.
9
魔术师可不是随便玩两下的，他们下了苦功钻研。
mó shù shī kě bù shì suí biàn wán liǎng xià de， ， tā mén xià le kǔ gōng zuān。
Magicians do not dabble, they work hard.
10
她的祖父教她变魔术。
tā de zǔ fù jiào tā biàn mó shù。
Her grandfather taught her to conjure.
Cultural Notes for 魔
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, 魔 is often associated with traditional beliefs about spirits and the supernatural, particularly in folklore and festivals such as the Hungry Ghost Festival. The character reflects deep-rooted fears and narratives surrounding evil spirits.
Word Family of 魔
Words Containing This Character20
魔módevil
魔法magic
恶魔demon惡魔
魔鬼móguǐdevil
魔术móshùmagic魔術
魔力magic
魔术师magician魔術師
魔王devil king
魔头monster魔頭
魔幻magical
病魔serious illness
魔方Rubik's cube
着魔obsessed著魔
妖魔demon
魔杖magic wand
魔爪claws
魔芋konjac, konnyaku or devil's tongue (Amorphophallus konjac), plant whose corms are used to make a stiff jelly (as a food)
魔掌the power of sb or sth evil
妖魔鬼怪demons and ghosts
邪魔evil spirit
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 魔 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 魔
Common phrases include 魔法 (magic), 魔鬼 (devil), and 魔术 (magic trick).
Generally, 魔 has a negative connotation, referring to evil spirits or dark magic.
鬼 (guǐ) refers specifically to ghosts, while 魔 encompasses a broader range of evil spirits and magical concepts.
