strange, unfamiliar; a foot path between rice fields
a, 8 strokes, radical 阝, rank #22217, Very Hard
mò(mo4) T4
1raised path
2street
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March 24, 2026
陌mò(mo4)
The character 陌 (mò) primarily refers to a raised path or street, often associated with rural areas. In a broader context, it also conveys notions of strangeness or unfamiliarity, emphasizing the idea of being in an unknown or foreign place. This character is commonly used in literary contexts and can suggest a sense of distance or separation.
Strokes8Radical阝Frequency#22217DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In ancient China, paths like those described by 陌 were essential for travel and trade in rural areas, highlighting the importance of connectivity in agricultural societies. The use of the term in poetry often evokes a sense of nostalgia or longing for the familiar.
Memory Tip
Imagine a raised path (the radical '阜' suggests a hill or elevated area) leading to a mysterious, unfamiliar place. Picture walking down this path and feeling a sense of strangeness as you encounter new sights and sounds, helping you remember '陌' sounds like 'mò' and means 'strange'.
Meanings of 陌
mò(mo4)
1raised path
2street
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 陌
陌Simplified
8Strokes
阝Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#22217Frequency Rank
Podcast: 陌
Podcast: 陌
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AI Study Notes for 陌
Quick Contrast
陌 (mò) vs 陌生 (mòshēng) — use 陌 when referring specifically to a path or street, while 陌生 emphasizes unfamiliarity or strangeness.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 陌 with similar characters due to pronunciation. It's primarily used in written contexts, so be aware of its formal tone. Common collocations include 陌生 (mòshēng), meaning 'strange' or 'unfamiliar', which can help reinforce its meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Though 陌 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, it offers insights into related words at this level, such as 陌生. Students should focus on memorizing its components and meanings, as well as practicing its use in sentences to enhance fluency.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 陌 with the character 末 (mò), which means 'end'. An incorrect example is using 陌 in contexts meant for 末, such as 'the end of the street', which should be translated as 街的末尾 (jiē de mòwěi).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 陌
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1The giveawayA large 百 city 阝, representing an unfamiliar place
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 陌? 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 陌?
Decomposition of 陌
IDS Structure⿰阝百
陌Full Character
=
阝yi4
left
百Bai3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 陌?
How to say raised path in Chinese
“raised path” in Chinese is陌mò
The character 陌 (mò) primarily refers to a raised path or street, often associated with rural areas. In a broader context, it also conveys notions of strangeness or unfamiliarity, emphasizing the idea of being in an unknown or foreign place. This character is commonly used in literary contexts and can suggest a sense of distance or separation.
When to use 陌
Learners often confuse 陌 with similar characters due to pronunciation. It's primarily used in written contexts, so be aware of its formal tone. Common collocations include 陌生 (mòshēng), meaning 'strange' or 'unfamiliar', which can help reinforce its meaning.
陌 or something close to it
陌 (mò) vs 陌生 (mòshēng) — use 陌 when referring specifically to a path or street, while 陌生 emphasizes unfamiliarity or strangeness.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 陌 with the character 末 (mò), which means 'end'. An incorrect example is using 陌 in contexts meant for 末, such as 'the end of the street', which should be translated as 街的末尾 (jiē de mòwěi).
Write 陌
陌
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Practice writing 陌 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 陌
陌 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. 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.
