HSK 4, vn, 9 strokes, radical 贝, rank #43541, Medium
贸
mào
trade
HSK 4, vn, 9 strokes, radical 贝, rank #43541, Medium
mào(mao4) T4
1commerce
2trade
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March 24, 2026
贸(貿)mào(mao4)
The character 贸 (mào) refers to commerce or trade, typically involving the exchange of goods or services. It is commonly used in contexts related to business transactions and economic activities, highlighting the importance of trade in both local and international markets.
Strokes9Radical贝Frequency#43541DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
Trade has historically played a crucial role in Chinese culture, dating back to the Silk Road, which facilitated commerce between East and West. The character 贸 reflects this long-standing tradition of trade as a vital component of Chinese society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a busy marketplace where merchants (represented by the character's radical for 'trade') are exchanging goods. The pronunciation 'mào' can be remembered by associating it with 'mall', where many trades occur.
Meanings of 贸
mào(mao4)
1commerce
2trade
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 贸
贸Simplified
貿Traditional
9Strokes
贝Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#43541Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4
Podcast: 贸
Podcast: 贸
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AI Study Notes for 贸
Quick Contrast
贸易 (màoyì) vs 交易 (jiāoyì) — use 贸 when emphasizing the broader concept of trade, while 交易 focuses on specific transactions or exchanges.
Usage Notes
Be mindful to use 贸 in contexts related to business and commerce; it is not suitable for informal conversations about personal exchanges. Common collocations include 贸易 (màoyì - trade), which is often used in formal discussions about international commerce. Watch out for tone errors, as the fourth tone can change the meaning completely.
HSK Study Tips
Although 贸 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it connects with other commerce-related terms you might encounter at HSK Level 4 and above, such as 贸易 (màoyì). Focus on understanding how this character is used in compound words to expand your vocabulary in business contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 贸 with 贸然 (màorán), which means 'rashly' or 'impulsively'. Remember that 贸 specifically refers to trade, while 贸然 has a different meaning and usage context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 贸
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Phonosemantic compound. 贝 represents the meaning and 卯 represents the sound. Simplified form of 貿.
1The meaning half贝 carries the sense.
2The sound half卯 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaymoney
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 贸? 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 贸?
Decomposition of 贸
IDS Structure⿱卯贝
贸Full Character
=
卯mao3
top
贝Bei4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 贸?
How to say commerce in Chinese
“commerce” in Chinese is贸mào
The character 贸 (mào) refers to commerce or trade, typically involving the exchange of goods or services. It is commonly used in contexts related to business transactions and economic activities, highlighting the importance of trade in both local and international markets.
When to use 贸
Be mindful to use 贸 in contexts related to business and commerce; it is not suitable for informal conversations about personal exchanges. Common collocations include 贸易 (màoyì - trade), which is often used in formal discussions about international commerce. Watch out for tone errors, as the fourth tone can change the meaning completely.
贸 or something close to it
贸易 (màoyì) vs 交易 (jiāoyì) — use 贸 when emphasizing the broader concept of trade, while 交易 focuses on specific transactions or exchanges.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 贸 with 贸然 (màorán), which means 'rashly' or 'impulsively'. Remember that 贸 specifically refers to trade, while 贸然 has a different meaning and usage context.
Write 贸
贸
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Practice writing 贸 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 贸
贸 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 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.
