unknown, 5 strokes, radical 卩, rank #24199, Very Hard
卯
mǎo
4th earthly branch: 5-7 a.m., 2nd solar month (6th March-4th April), year of the Rabbit
unknown, 5 strokes, radical 卩, rank #24199, Very Hard
卯
mǎo
ancient Chinese compass point: 90° (east)
unknown, 5 strokes, radical 卩, rank #24199, Very Hard
卯
mǎo
to exert one's strength
unknown, 5 strokes, radical 卩, rank #24199, Very Hard
mǎo(mao3) T3
14th terrestrial branch; period from 5-7 a.m.
2mortise (slot cut into wood to receive a tenon)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
卯mǎo(mao3)
The character 卯 (mǎo) primarily signifies the fourth terrestrial branch in the Chinese zodiac, representing the period from 5 to 7 a.m. It is also associated with the year of the Rabbit and is used in various contexts related to timekeeping and traditional Chinese astrology.
Strokes5Radical卩Frequency#24199DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 卯 is significant for its association with the Rabbit, which is seen as a symbol of gentleness and peace. The concept of time divisions such as 卯 reflects the traditional Chinese understanding of the day.
Memory Tip
Imagine a rabbit (the symbol for 卯) hopping out at dawn (5-7 a.m.), marking the start of a new day. The character itself has a simple structure, with the top resembling the head of a rabbit and the bottom representing the earth it hops on.
Meanings of 卯
mǎo(mao3)
14th terrestrial branch; period from 5-7 a.m.
2mortise (slot cut into wood to receive a tenon)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 卯
卯Simplified
5Strokes
卩Radical
时间词time word (t.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 卯
Podcast: 卯
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AI Study Notes for 卯
Usage Notes
This character is often used in formal contexts such as astrology and traditional timekeeping. Learners might confuse it with other time-related characters; remember that 卯 specifically refers to the early morning hours and the Rabbit. Pay attention to pronunciation, particularly the third tone.
HSK Study Tips
Although 卯 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it connects to HSK Level 3 topics like time and zodiac animals. Focus on its use in expressions related to time and its significance in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 卯 with other terrestrial branches like 子 (zǐ) or 午 (wǔ). For example, saying 卯 represents noon instead of morning is incorrect; remember that 卯 specifically refers to the hours from 5 to 7 a.m.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 卯
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Origin unclear. Variously explained as a mortise (a slot cut into a piece of wood), and knives used for sacrificing animals.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 卯? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
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Decomposition of 卯
IDS Structure⿰？卩
卯Full Character
=
卩jie2
left
Exercise 1 of 1
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 卯?
How to say 4th terrestrial branch; period from 5-7 a.m. in Chinese
“4th terrestrial branch; period from 5-7 a.m.” in Chinese is卯mǎo
The character 卯 (mǎo) primarily signifies the fourth terrestrial branch in the Chinese zodiac, representing the period from 5 to 7 a.m. It is also associated with the year of the Rabbit and is used in various contexts related to timekeeping and traditional Chinese astrology.
When to use 卯
This character is often used in formal contexts such as astrology and traditional timekeeping. Learners might confuse it with other time-related characters; remember that 卯 specifically refers to the early morning hours and the Rabbit. Pay attention to pronunciation, particularly the third tone.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 卯 with other terrestrial branches like 子 (zǐ) or 午 (wǔ). For example, saying 卯 represents noon instead of morning is incorrect; remember that 卯 specifically refers to the hours from 5 to 7 a.m.
Write 卯
卯
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Practice writing 卯 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Word Family of 卯
Words Containing This Character9
卯mǎoto fasten with rivets
辛卯twenty-eighth year H4 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 2011 or 2071
丁卯fourth year D4 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1987 or 2047
乙卯fifty-second year B4 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1975 or 2035
癸卯fortieth year J4 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1963 or 2023
己卯sixteenth year F4 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1999 or 2059
寅吃卯粮live now, pay later寅吃卯糧
点卯morning roll call點卯
寅支卯粮live now, pay later寅支卯糧
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 卯 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 卯
卯 represents the Rabbit in the Chinese zodiac, which is the fourth sign in the twelve-year cycle.
While 卯 may not come up often in casual conversation, it can be used when discussing time or zodiac signs, especially in traditional contexts.
Yes, 卯 is related to various timekeeping and zodiac terms in Chinese, linking it with cultural practices.
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