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漠 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
漠mòdesertHSK 7, ns, 13 strokes, radical 氵, rank #34773, Very Hard
漠mòunconcernedHSK 7, ns, 13 strokes, radical 氵, rank #34773, Very Hard
漠mòdesert; aloof, cool, indifferentHSK 7, ns, 13 strokes, radical 氵, rank #34773, Very Hard
mò(mo4)mo T4
  1. 1desert
  2. 2unconcerned
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March 24, 2026

漠mò(mo4)

The character 漠 (mò) primarily means 'desert,' referring to arid, barren landscapes typically devoid of vegetation. It can also convey feelings of indifference or aloofness, often used to describe a person's demeanor or attitude that is cool and unconcerned about others. This dual meaning makes it versatile in both descriptive and emotional contexts.

Strokes13Radical氵Frequency#34773DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese literature, deserts often symbolize solitude and introspection, reflecting the inner emotional landscape of characters, which connects to the meaning of being emotionally 'aloof' or 'indifferent.' This adds depth to the use of 漠 in poetry and storytelling.

Memory tip

Imagine a vast desert (the meaning of 漠) where the sun is so bright that it makes everything look distant and indifferent. The left side of the character (氵) represents water, which is scarce in a desert, while the right side (莫) sounds like 'mock,' reminding you of how people might mock the aridness by being aloof in such a barren place.

Meanings of 漠

mò(mo4)
1desert
2unconcerned
Exercise 1 of 3

By ear

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About 漠

漠Simplified
13Strokes
氵Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#34773Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7

Podcast: 漠

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Podcast: 漠

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AI study notes for 漠

Quick Contrast

漠 (mò) vs 冷漠 (lěngmò) — use 漠 for describing a barren landscape or general indifference, while 冷漠 specifically emphasizes emotional coldness or apathy.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 漠 with similar characters that have different meanings or tones. It is more commonly used in literary contexts, so it may seem too formal in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 漠不关心 (indifferent) and 漠视 (disregard).

HSK Study Tips

Although 漠 is not included in HSK levels, it connects to the theme of nature found in lower levels, such as 山 (mountain) and 水 (water). Focus on recognizing the character's usage in more complex texts or poetry, where it may appear more frequently.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mix up 漠 with related characters like 默 (mò, meaning 'silent'). For example, saying '我对这个问题是漠的' is incorrect; it should be '我对这个问题是默的,' meaning 'I am silent on this issue.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 漠

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Etymology of 漠

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 莫 represents the sound.

Memory hint

water

Semantic (meaning)氵
+
Phonetic (sound)莫
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

漠 = 氵 + 莫. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 漠

IDS Structure⿰氵莫
漠Full character
=
氵shui3
left
莫Mo4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 漠?

How to say desert in Chinese

“desert” in Chinese is漠mò

The character 漠 (mò) primarily means 'desert,' referring to arid, barren landscapes typically devoid of vegetation. It can also convey feelings of indifference or aloofness, often used to describe a person's demeanor or attitude that is cool and unconcerned about others. This dual meaning makes it versatile in both descriptive and emotional contexts.

When to use 漠

Be careful not to confuse 漠 with similar characters that have different meanings or tones. It is more commonly used in literary contexts, so it may seem too formal in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 漠不关心 (indifferent) and 漠视 (disregard).

漠 or something close to it

漠 (mò) vs 冷漠 (lěngmò) — use 漠 for describing a barren landscape or general indifference, while 冷漠 specifically emphasizes emotional coldness or apathy.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mix up 漠 with related characters like 默 (mò, meaning 'silent'). For example, saying '我对这个问题是漠的' is incorrect; it should be '我对这个问题是默的,' meaning 'I am silent on this issue.'

Write 漠

漠

Practice writing 漠 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 漠

漠 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

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

英国男人常被认为是矜持而冷____的。

British men are often seen as being reserved and unemotional.

Common confusions with 漠

漠vs莫
mò

Similar in pronunciation, but has a distinct meaning.

漠vs默
mò

Similar in pronunciation and shape, but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Which one

Which one means “desert”?

or

Example sentences for 漠 (16)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
英国男人常被认为是矜持而冷漠的。

Yīng guó nánrén cháng bèi rènwéi shì jīn chí ér lěngmò de。

British men are often seen as being reserved and unemotional.
2
这是多么懒惰、冷漠、不敬业的态度！

zhè shì duōme lǎnduò、 lěngmò、 bù jìngyè de tàidù！

Of all the lazy, indifferent, unbusinesslike attitudes to have!
3
她身上透着一股冷漠，让他不寒而栗。

tā shēnshang tòu zhe yī gǔ lěngmò， ràng tā bù hán ér lì。

There was a coldness in her that chilled him.
4
他漠然而漫无目标地注视着不远处。

tā mòrán ér màn wú mùbiāo dì zhùshì zhe bù yuǎnchù。

He stares detachedly into the middle distance, towards nothing in particular.
5
弗兰克·马里亚诺驾驶他那辆破烂不堪的皮卡车成功穿越了沙漠地带。

fú lán kè· mǎ lǐ yà nuò jiàshǐ tā nà liàng pò làn bùkān de pí kǎchē chénggōng chuānyuè le shāmò dìdài。

Frank Mariano negotiates the desert terrain in his battered pickup.
6
“那并不要紧，”坦奇漠然地说。

“ nà bìng búyàojǐn，” tǎn jī mòrán dì shuō。

"Not that it matters," said Tench indifferently.
7
只有乘直升机才能进入那遥远的荒漠地区。

zhǐyǒu chéng zhíshēngjī cáinéng jìnrù nà yáoyuǎn de huāng mò dìqū。

The remote desert area is accessible only by helicopter.
8
严肃、严谨、倔强的他同时又冷漠、多疑、敏感、不会变通。

yánsù、 yánjǐn、 juéjiàng de tā tóngshí yòu lěngmò、 duō yí、 mǐngǎn、 bù huì biàntōng。

Formal, exact and obstinate, he was also cold, suspicious, touchy and tactless.
9
她曾随口提到过，当时她的冷漠很让他吃惊。

tā céng suí kǒu tídào guò， dāngshí tā de lěngmò hěn ràng tā chījīng。

She'd mentioned it casually once, surprising him by her unconcern.
10
现在是肥沃土地的地方在很久很久以前曾是一片片沙漠。

xiànzài shì féiwò tǔdì de dìfang zài hěn jiǔ hěn jiǔ yǐqián céng shì yī piàn piàn shāmò。

Aeons ago, there were deserts where there is now fertile land.
11
在那个广阔的漠中，旅行者们必须依靠星星来导航。

Zài nàgè guǎngkuò de mò zhōng, lǚxíng zhěmen bìxū yīkào xīngxing lái dǎoháng.

In that vast desert, travelers must rely on the stars for navigation.
12
科学家们正在研究漠地区的气候变化对生态系统的影响。

Kēxuéjiāmen zhèngzài yánjiū mò dìqū de qìhòu biànhuà duì shēngtài xìtǒng de yǐngxiǎng.

Scientists are studying the impact of climate change in desert areas on ecosystems.
13
在这片无边的漠中，只有偶尔才能看到一只孤独的骆驼。

Zài zhè piàn wúbiān de mò zhōng, zhǐyǒu ǒu'ěr cáinéng kàn dào yī zhī gūdú de luòtuó.

In this vast desert, only occasionally can you see a lonely camel.
14
漠地的极端温差对人类的适应能力是一个巨大的挑战。

Mò dì de jíduān wēnchā duì rénlèi de shìyìng nénglì shì yī gè jùdà de tiǎozhàn.

The extreme temperature differences in the desert pose a huge challenge to human adaptability.
15
许多古文明曾在漠的边缘繁荣发展，留下了许多遗迹。

Xǔduō gǔ wénmíng céng zài mò de biānyuán fánróng fāzhǎn, liúxiàle xǔduō yíjì.

Many ancient civilizations once flourished on the edge of the desert, leaving behind numerous relics.
16
科学家们正在探索漠地下的水资源，以寻找支持未来发展的可能性。

Kēxuéjiāmen zhèngzài tànsuǒ mò dìxià de shuǐ zīyuán, yǐ xúnzhǎo zhīchí wèilái fāzhǎn de kěnéngxìng.

Scientists are exploring the water resources beneath the desert to find possibilities for supporting future development.

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Word Family of 漠

Words containing this character20
沙漠shāmòdesert
冷漠lěngmòlack of regard
漠视mòshìto ignore漠視
漠不关心mòbùguānxīnnot the least bit concerned漠不關心
荒漠huāngmòbarren
淡漠dànmòapathetic
大漠dàmòdesert
漠mòdesert
漠然mòránindifferent
荒漠化huāngmòhuàdesertification
沙漠化shāmòhuàdesertification
漠北mòběiOuter Mongolia (lit. north of the Gobi Desert)
撒哈拉沙漠sāhālāshāmòSahara Desert
漠河mòhéMohe county in Daxing'anling prefecture 大興安嶺地區|大兴安岭地区, Heilongjiang
塔克拉玛干沙漠tǎkèlāmǎgānshāmòTaklamakan Desert, Xinjiang塔克拉瑪干沙漠
戈壁沙漠gēbìshāmòGobi Desert
腾格里沙漠ténggélǐshāmòTengger Desert騰格里沙漠
漠南mònánInner Mongolia (lit. south of the Gobi Desert)
广漠guǎngmòvast and empty廣漠
漠河县mòhéxiànMohe county in Daxing'anling prefecture 大興安嶺地區|大兴安岭地区, Heilongjiang漠河縣
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 漠

What does 沙漠 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 漠

You can use 漠不关心 (mò bù guān xīn) to express that someone is indifferent or doesn't care.

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