Meanings of 磨
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About 磨
Podcast: 磨
Podcast: 磨
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AI Study Notes for 磨
磨 (mó, grind) vs 刻 (kè, carve) — choose 磨 when referring to grinding or polishing, while 刻 is for cutting into a surface.
Imagine a millstone (磨) turning round and round, grinding grain into flour. The shape of the character resembles a wheel in motion, suggesting the action of grinding, while the 'm' sound connects to the idea of 'motion' or 'movement.' Picture the grinding process in your mind to reinforce both the meaning and pronunciation.
Learners often confuse 磨 with similar verbs like 切 (qiē, to cut) or 磨 (mó, to grind) due to their overlapping meanings. This character is used in both formal and informal contexts, so pay attention to collocations like 磨刀 (mó dāo, to sharpen a knife) and 磨时间 (mó shíjiān, to waste time). Be cautious with the third tone; confusion with the second tone can change the meaning.
磨 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, but it connects with other action verbs like 切 (qiē, to cut) and 磨 (mó, to grind) at similar proficiency levels. Focus on its usage in different contexts and practice constructing sentences to enhance fluency.
In traditional Chinese culture, grinding grains is a fundamental agricultural process, symbolizing hard work and the preparation of food. This character is often associated with the notion of diligence, reflecting the importance of effort in achieving results.
Learners often mispronounce 磨 as 'mà' (fourth tone), which can lead to confusion with a different meaning. The correct tone is 'mó' (second tone). Additionally, some may incorrectly use it in contexts not referring to grinding or polishing, such as using it for cutting tasks.
Pronunciation of 磨
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Etymology of 磨
Phonosemantic compound. 石 represents the meaning and 麻 represents the sound.
stone
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 磨?
Decomposition of 磨
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Write 磨
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Practice writing 磨 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 磨
磨 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 12 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.
Complete the Sentence
这双鞋把脚____破了。
These shoes rubbed my feet raw.
Example Sentences for 磨 (10)
Cultural Notes for 磨
In traditional Chinese culture, grinding grains is a fundamental agricultural process, symbolizing hard work and the preparation of food. This character is often associated with the notion of diligence, reflecting the importance of effort in achieving results.
Word Family of 磨
Compound Meaning
What does 蘑 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 磨
Common phrases include 磨刀 (to sharpen a knife) and 磨时间 (to waste time).