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默默 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
默默
mòmò
in silence
HSK 6, d, 32 strokes, rank #11636, Hard
默默
mòmò
not speaking
HSK 6, d, 32 strokes, rank #11636, Hard
mòmò(mo4mo4)mo mo T4
1in silence
2not speaking
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March 24, 2026
默默mòmò(mo4mo4)
默默 (mò mò) means to do something quietly or in silence, without drawing attention. It is often used to describe actions taken without recognition or acknowledgment, such as working tirelessly behind the scenes.
Strokes32Frequency#11636DifficultyHard
Cultural note
The concept of 默默 resonates in Chinese culture, where humility and unrecognized efforts are often valued. Many Chinese historical figures are celebrated for their contributions made without seeking fame.
Memory tip
Imagine a mouse (the sound 'mo' resembles 'mouse') sneaking around quietly in the shadows, doing its work without making a sound. This reflects the essence of '默默' — doing things silently and unobtrusively.
Meanings of 默默
mòmò(mo4mo4)
1in silence
2not speaking
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 默默 means.
About 默默
默默Simplified
32Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#11636Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 默默
Podcast: 默默
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AI study notes for 默默
Quick Contrast
默默 (mòmò) vs 安静 (ānjìng): Use 默默 when emphasizing silent actions or efforts, while 安静 refers more generally to a quiet state or environment.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 默默 with similar expressions that imply noise or attention. It is more commonly used in informal contexts, but can also appear in literary or reflective writing. Collocations include 默默无闻 (mò mò wú wén), meaning 'unknown to the world.'
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 默默 connects with other advanced vocabulary emphasizing subtlety and introspection. Students should focus on using it in sentences that highlight quiet actions or feelings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 默默 by pairing it with words that suggest loudness or attention. For example, saying '默默地说话' (quietly talk) is incorrect; it should be '默默地做事' (quietly work).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 默默
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Learning Lab
Knowing 默默 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.
默默 (mò mò) means to do something quietly or in silence, without drawing attention. It is often used to describe actions taken without recognition or acknowledgment, such as working tirelessly behind the scenes.
When to use 默默
Be careful not to confuse 默默 with similar expressions that imply noise or attention. It is more commonly used in informal contexts, but can also appear in literary or reflective writing. Collocations include 默默无闻 (mò mò wú wén), meaning 'unknown to the world.'
默默 or something close to it
默默 (mòmò) vs 安静 (ānjìng): Use 默默 when emphasizing silent actions or efforts, while 安静 refers more generally to a quiet state or environment.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 默默 by pairing it with words that suggest loudness or attention. For example, saying '默默地说话' (quietly talk) is incorrect; it should be '默默地做事' (quietly work).
Write 默默
默
默
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Practice writing 默默 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 默默
默默 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. 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.
Exercise 1 of 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我想特莎应该选择长期____爱慕她的马尔科姆。
I think Tessa should plump for Malcolm, her long-suffering admirer.
Example sentences for 默默 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我想特莎应该选择长期默默爱慕她的马尔科姆。
wǒ xiǎng tè shā yīnggāi xuǎnzé chángqī mòmò àimù tā de mǎ ěr kē mǔ。
I think Tessa should plump for Malcolm, her long-suffering admirer.
2
我默默地向葆拉投去恳求的目光。
wǒ mòmò dì xiàng bǎo lā tóu qù kěnqiú de mùguāng。
I threw a mute look of appeal at Paula.
3
我沿着河走了很久，默默沉思着。
wǒ yánzhe hé zǒu le hěn jiǔ， mòmò chénsī zhe。
I went for long, contemplative walks by the river.
4
他默默分付两颊道: “不要烧盘!
tā mòmò fēn fù liǎng jiá dào: “ búyào shāo pán!
He silently enjoined his cheeks, Don't blush!
5
我暗自念叨着安东尼的话, 默默地学他的语调.
wǒ àn zì niàn dāo zhe Ān dōng ní dehuà, mòmò dì xué tā de yǔ diào.
I repeated to myself Anthony's words, catching his accent, soundlessly.
