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March 24, 2026
貌mào(mao4)
The character 貌 (mào) refers to appearance or countenance, often relating to a person's outward look or demeanor. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, such as discussing someone's beauty, attire, or general presence.
Strokes14Radical豸Frequency#8970DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, physical appearance can often carry significant social weight, influencing personal and professional relationships. The concept of '美貌' (měimào) is particularly valued in various aspects of life, including media and social interactions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person showcasing their 'ma' (母) and 'o' (喔) as they stand in front of a mirror, focusing on their appearance, which helps you remember 貌 (mào) relates to looking good or outward appearance.
Meanings of 貌
mào(mao4)
1appearance
2countenance, appearance
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 貌
貌Simplified
14Strokes
豸Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#8970Frequency Rank
Podcast: 貌
Podcast: 貌
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AI Study Notes for 貌
Quick Contrast
貌 (mào) vs 形 (xíng): use 貌 when specifically referring to appearance or demeanor, while 形 relates more to form or shape.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person showcasing their 'ma' (母) and 'o' (喔) as they stand in front of a mirror, focusing on their appearance, which helps you remember 貌 (mào) relates to looking good or outward appearance.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 貌 with similar-sounding words like 糟 (zāo), which means 'bad.' It is commonly used in phrases like '美貌' (měimào) meaning 'beauty' and can be used in both formal and informal settings.
HSK Study Tips
While 貌 is not in the official HSK levels, it relates well to other words regarding appearance, such as 美 (měi - beautiful) and 形象 (xíngxiàng - image). Focus on using it in descriptive contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, physical appearance can often carry significant social weight, influencing personal and professional relationships. The concept of '美貌' (měimào) is particularly valued in various aspects of life, including media and social interactions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 貌 with the word 貌似 (màosì), which means 'seems like' or 'appears to be.' For example, saying '她的貌似美' (Tā de màosì měi) instead of '她的貌美' (Tā de mào měi) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 貌
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Grammar Patterns of 貌
貌 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 2 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.
Both boys had good manners, politely shaking hands.
9
体貌完美的人极为罕见。
tǐ mào wán měi de rén jí wéi hǎn jiàn。
Physical perfection in a human being is exceedingly rare.
10
他很大方而且，你知道，很友善，很有礼貌。
tā hěn dà fāng ér qiě， ， nǐ zhī， dào ， hěn， yǒu shàn ， hěn。
He's generous and, you know, very nice, very polite.
Cultural Notes for 貌
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, physical appearance can often carry significant social weight, influencing personal and professional relationships. The concept of '美貌' (měimào) is particularly valued in various aspects of life, including media and social interactions.
Word Family of 貌
Compounds2
藐miao3to despise
邈miao3distant, remote; profound
Words Containing This Character20
礼貌lǐmàocourtesy禮貌
貌似to appear to be
貌màoappearance
面貌miànmàoface
美貌good looks
相貌appearance
外貌wàimàoprofile
容貌róngmàolooks
风貌fēngmàostyle風貌
地貌relief
原貌the original form
有礼貌courteous有禮貌
全貌full view
形貌appearance
体貌appearance體貌
其貌不扬unprepossessing其貌不揚
道貌岸然sanctimonious
旧貌old look舊貌
以貌取人to judge sb by appearances (idiom)
貌合神离the appearance of unity, but divided at heart (idiom); seeming harmony belies underlying disagreement貌合神離
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 藐 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 貌
Yes, 貌 (mào) is often used in expressions such as '貌美' (màoměi) which means 'good-looking' or 'beautiful appearance.' It can also appear in idiomatic phrases to convey the significance of outward appearance in social situations.
Some synonyms for 貌 (mào) include 外貌 (wàimào) which means 'outward appearance' and 容貌 (róngmào) which refers to 'features' or 'looks.' These terms can be used interchangeably in many contexts to describe someone's appearance.
You can use 貌 (mào) in a sentence like '他的貌美丽' which means 'His appearance is beautiful.' It is often used to describe someone's physical looks or demeanor in terms of aesthetics.
貌 (mào) means 'appearance' or 'countenance' in Chinese. It refers to the outward look or form of a person or object. In context, it can describe someone's facial features or general demeanor.
You can say '她的美貌让人印象深刻' (Her beauty leaves a deep impression).
Yes, 貌 can be used in both formal and informal writing, especially in contexts discussing beauty or appearance.
Common phrases include '外貌' (wàimào - outward appearance) and '容貌' (róngmào - looks).
