HSK 4, f, 5 strokes, radical 木, rank #6426, Medium
末
mò
end
HSK 4, f, 5 strokes, radical 木, rank #6426, Medium
末
mò
final stage
HSK 4, f, 5 strokes, radical 木, rank #6426, Medium
末
mò
latter part
HSK 4, f, 5 strokes, radical 木, rank #6426, Medium
末
mò
inessential detail
HSK 4, f, 5 strokes, radical 木, rank #6426, Medium
末
mò
powder
HSK 4, f, 5 strokes, radical 木, rank #6426, Medium
末
mò
dust
HSK 4, f, 5 strokes, radical 木, rank #6426, Medium
末
mò
opera role of old man
HSK 4, f, 5 strokes, radical 木, rank #6426, Medium
末
mò
end, final, last; insignificant
HSK 4, f, 5 strokes, radical 木, rank #6426, Medium
mò(mo4) T4
1tip
2end
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March 24, 2026
末mò(mo4)
The character 末 (mò) primarily refers to the end or tip of something, often indicating a final stage or the last part of an object or event. It can also connote insignificance or inessential details, and is used in various contexts, such as in time expressions or to denote the end of a series.
Strokes5Radical木Frequency#6426DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of endings is significant, particularly in festivals that mark the end of the year, like the Lunar New Year, where the old is left behind and a new beginning is celebrated.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tree with its branches stretching out, but at the very end of each branch is a tiny leaf – that's the 末, representing the tip or end. The character's form looks like a simple line at the bottom, hinting at the idea of something being at the end.
Meanings of 末
mò(mo4)
1tip
2end
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 末
末Simplified
5Strokes
木Radical
方位词direction word (dir.)Part of Speech
#6426Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 末
Podcast: 末
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AI Study Notes for 末
Quick Contrast
末 (mò) vs 尾 (wěi) — use 末 for the end or final stage of something, while 尾 refers specifically to the tail or end part of an object.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 末 (mò) with its similar-sounding counterpart 么 (me), which has different meanings. It is commonly used in phrases like '月底' (yuèdǐ), meaning 'end of the month,' and can appear in both formal and informal contexts.
HSK Study Tips
Although 末 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it often appears in HSK 3 and 4 vocabulary. Students should focus on its use in time expressions and practice collocations with other words like '年末' (niánmò, end of the year) to enhance comprehension.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 末 (mò) with 末尾 (mòwěi), which specifically means 'the end' in a more definitive sense. Remember that while 末 can imply 'end' in many contexts, it's not always interchangeable with other terms for 'end.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 末
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Similar to 木, with an extra line at the top. Depicts the tip of a tree.
1The giveawayThe top 一 of a tree 木
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 末? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 末?
Decomposition of 末
IDS Structure⿻木一
末Full Character
=
木Mu4
outer
一yi1
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 末?
How to say tip in Chinese
“tip” in Chinese is末mò
The character 末 (mò) primarily refers to the end or tip of something, often indicating a final stage or the last part of an object or event. It can also connote insignificance or inessential details, and is used in various contexts, such as in time expressions or to denote the end of a series.
When to use 末
Be careful not to confuse 末 (mò) with its similar-sounding counterpart 么 (me), which has different meanings. It is commonly used in phrases like '月底' (yuèdǐ), meaning 'end of the month,' and can appear in both formal and informal contexts.
末 or something close to it
末 (mò) vs 尾 (wěi) — use 末 for the end or final stage of something, while 尾 refers specifically to the tail or end part of an object.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 末 (mò) with 末尾 (mòwěi), which specifically means 'the end' in a more definitive sense. Remember that while 末 can imply 'end' in many contexts, it's not always interchangeable with other terms for 'end.'
Write 末
末
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Practice writing 末 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 末
末 carries 9 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
The winner will face the Oakland A's in the playoffs this weekend.
7
正确答案在第8页末尾。
zhèng què dá àn zài dì8 8 yè mò。
The correct answers can be found at the bottom of page
8
为什么香料在15世纪末期的欧洲如此贵重？
wéi shí mó xiāng liào zài15 15 shì jì mò qī de ōu zhōu rú cǐ guì？
Why were spices so highly valued in late 15th-century Europe?
9
这些船都有编号，末尾都是LBK。
zhè xiē chuán dū yǒu biān hào， ， mò wěi dūLBK。
These ships were all numbered with the suffix LBK.
10
周末时丑闻有了新的发展。
zhōu mò shí chǒu wén yǒu le xīn de fā zhǎn。
The scandal took a new turn over the weekend.
Cultural Notes for 末
💡Did you know?
'末' is often used in phrases indicating the end of something, like '年末' (end of the year). It reflects the idea of closure in both time and narratives.
Word Family of 末
Compounds16
袜wa4socks
抹ma1to wipe
沫mo4foam
茉mo4white jasmine
妺
皌
秣mo4fodder, horse feed; to feed a horse
韎
唜
帓
昩
枺
眜
砞
粖
膥
Words Containing This Character20
末mòtip
周末zhōumòweekend週末
末日mòrìend
粉末fěnmòdust
芥末mustard
年末end of the year
末端tip
末期last part
世界末日end of the world
期末qīmòend of term
末尾end
岁末end of the year歲末
末了in the end
末梢tip
末班车last chance末班車
月末end of month
末路final road
始末whole story
末年the final years (of a regime)
末世last phase (of an age)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 袜 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 末
末 (mò) refers more to the 'end' or 'tip' of something, while 结束 (jiéshù) means 'to finish' or 'to complete.' In usage, 末 often describes a point in time or place, whereas 结束 is an action indicating that something has come to a close.
To use 末 in a sentence, you can say '事情的末尾是最重要的' (Shìqíng de mòwěi shì zuì zhòngyào de), which translates to 'The end of the matter is the most important.' This showcases its meaning of 'end' in a practical context.
Yes, 末 is used in various phrases such as '月末' (yuè mò), meaning 'the end of the month,' and '末班车' (mò bān chē), which translates to 'the last bus.' These phrases highlight its use in everyday language.
末 (mò) means 'end' or 'tip' in Chinese. It can refer to the final stage of something or the latter part of an item. Additionally, it can denote inessential details or even powder in some contexts.
Common phrases include '月底' (yuèdǐ, end of the month) and '年末' (niánmò, end of the year).
It can have both; while it signifies an end, which may imply closure or conclusion, it can also denote something trivial or insignificant.
The pinyin is mò, with a falling tone. Practice by saying it with a firm ending.
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