Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
末 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
末
mò
tip
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)mo T4
1tip
2end
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 末 means.
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
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
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
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 末, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 末 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 末?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 末 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 末 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
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.
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
周____我喜欢看看书、听听音乐什么的。
On weekends I like to read books, listen to music, and stuff like that.
Common confusions with 末
末vs未
wèi
Similar shape and pronunciation, but different meanings.
Exercise 1 of 1
Which one
Which one means “tip”?
or
Example sentences for 末 (14)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
成功不是终点，失败也并非末日，最重要的是继续前进的勇气。
chénggōng bùshì zhōngdiǎn， shībài yě bìngfēi mòrì， zuì zhòngyào de shì jìxù qiánjìn de yǒngqì。
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.--Winston Churchill
2
卡姆登市场是周末的最佳去处。
kǎ mǔ dēng shìchǎng shì zhōumò de zuìjiā qùchù。
Camden Market is the place to be on a Saturday or Sunday.
3
到80年代末的时候，他们的数量已是原来的4倍。
dào80 niándài mò de shíhou， tāmen de shùliàng yǐ shì yuánlái de4 bèi。
By the late eighties their number had grown fourfold.
4
经过3个周末的追求之后，帕梅拉接受了伦道夫的求婚。
jīngguò3 gè zhōumò de zhuīqiú zhīhòu， pà méi lā jiēshòu le lún dào fū de qiúhūn。
After a three-weekend courtship, Pamela accepted Randolph's proposal of marriage.
5
周末右翼分子对外国人的攻击最终演变成了这场骚乱。
zhōumò yòu yì fēn zi duìwài guó rén de gōngjī zuìzhōng yǎnbiàn chéng le zhè chǎng sāoluàn。
The unrest capped a weekend of right-wing attacks on foreigners.
6
获胜者将在本周末的季后赛中对阵奥克兰运动者队。
huòshèng zhě jiāng zài běn zhōumò de jì hòu sài zhōng duì zhèn ào kè lán yùndòng zhě duì。
The winner will face the Oakland A's in the playoffs this weekend.
7
正确答案在第8页末尾。
zhèngquè dá’àn zài dì8 yè mò wěi。
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？
wèishénme xiāngliào zài15 shìjì mò qī de ōuzhōu rúcǐ guìzhòng？
Why were spices so highly valued in late 15th-century Europe?
9
这些船都有编号，末尾都是LBK。
zhèxiē chuán dōu yǒu biānhào， mò wěi dōushìLBK。
These ships were all numbered with the suffix LBK.
10
周末时丑闻有了新的发展。
zhōumò shí chǒuwén yǒu le xīn de fāzhǎn。
The scandal took a new turn over the weekend.
11
树枝的末端挂着一颗红色的果实。
Shùzhī de mòduān guàzhe yī kē hóngsè de guǒshí.
A red fruit hangs at the tip of the branch.
12
树枝的末端挂着一颗红色的果实。
Shùzhī de mòduān guàzhe yī kē hóngsè de guǒshí.
A red fruit hangs at the tip of the branch.
13
树枝的末端挂着一颗红色的果实。
Shùzhī de mòduān guàzhe yī kē hóngsè de guǒshí.
A red fruit hangs at the tip of the branch.
14
树枝的末端挂着一颗红色的果实。
Shùzhī de mòduān guàzhe yī kē hóngsè de guǒshí.
A red fruit hangs at the tip of the branch.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 末?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
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wàsocks
抹māto wipe
沫mòfoam
茉mòwhite jasmine
妺mò
皌mò
秣mòfodder, horse feed; to feed a horse
韎mèi
唜mò
帓mò
昩mò
枺mò
眜mò
砞mò
粖mò
膥cūn
Words containing this character20
末mòtip
周末zhōumòweekend週末
末日mòrìend
粉末fěnmòdust
芥末jièmomustard
年末niánmòend of the year
末端mòduāntip
末期mòqīlast part
世界末日shìjièmòrìend of the world
期末qīmòend of term
末尾mòwěiend
岁末suìmòend of the year歲末
末了mòliǎoin the end
末梢mòshāotip
末班车mòbānchēlast chance末班車
月末yuèmòend of month
末路mòlùfinal road
始末shǐmòwhole story
末年mòniánthe final years (of a regime)
末世mòshìlast phase (of an age)
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 末
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.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 末?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.
A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.
