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墓 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
墓
mù
grave
HSK 7, n, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #7350, Very Hard
墓
mù
tomb
HSK 7, n, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #7350, Very Hard
墓
mù
mausoleum
HSK 7, n, 13 strokes, radical 土, rank #7350, Very Hard
mù(mu4)mu T4
1grave
2tomb
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March 24, 2026
墓mù(mu4)
The character 墓 (mù) refers to a grave or tomb, a place where the deceased are buried. It is commonly used in contexts related to funerals, memorials, and ancestry, reflecting the importance of honoring one's ancestors in Chinese culture.
Strokes13Radical土Frequency#7350DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, reverence for ancestors is deeply rooted, and visiting graves during Qingming Festival is a common practice. This character symbolizes the respect given to those who have passed away, reflecting a significant cultural value.
Memory tip
Imagine a large stone (石) structure (土) that marks the resting place of someone who has passed away. The shape of 墓 can remind you of a mound of earth covering a grave, and the pronunciation 'mù' sounds like 'moo,' which could evoke the solemn sound of a cow mourning in a field near a graveyard.
Meanings of 墓
mù(mu4)
1grave
2tomb
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 墓 means.
About 墓
墓Simplified
13Strokes
土Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7350Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 墓
Podcast: 墓
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AI study notes for 墓
Quick Contrast
墓 (grave) vs 坟 (burial mound) — use 墓 for formal contexts or structures, 坟 for simpler or less formal burial sites.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 墓 with similar characters like 增 (zēng), which means to increase. While 墓 is used in formal contexts, it can also appear in discussions about heritage and family, so ensure your tone matches the seriousness of the topic.
HSK Study Tips
Though 墓 is not included in the official HSK vocabulary lists, it is relevant for learners interested in cultural topics or discussions about death and ancestry. Focus on understanding its usage in phrases related to funerals or family history.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 墓 with 增 (zēng), leading them to mistakenly use 墓 when they intend to talk about increasing something. Always remember that 墓 specifically refers to graves and tombs.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 墓
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 墓 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.
墓 = 土 + 莫. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 墓
IDS Structure⿱莫土
墓Full character
=
莫Mo4
top
土Tu3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 墓?
How to say grave in Chinese
“grave” in Chinese is墓mù
The character 墓 (mù) refers to a grave or tomb, a place where the deceased are buried. It is commonly used in contexts related to funerals, memorials, and ancestry, reflecting the importance of honoring one's ancestors in Chinese culture.
When to use 墓
Be careful not to confuse 墓 with similar characters like 增 (zēng), which means to increase. While 墓 is used in formal contexts, it can also appear in discussions about heritage and family, so ensure your tone matches the seriousness of the topic.
墓 or something close to it
墓 (grave) vs 坟 (burial mound) — use 墓 for formal contexts or structures, 坟 for simpler or less formal burial sites.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 墓 with 增 (zēng), leading them to mistakenly use 墓 when they intend to talk about increasing something. Always remember that 墓 specifically refers to graves and tombs.
Write 墓
墓
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Practice writing 墓 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 墓
墓 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 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
不大的教堂____地周边围着一圈生锈的熟铁栅栏。
The small churchyard was surrounded by a rusted wrought-iron fence.
Example sentences for 墓 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
不大的教堂墓地周边围着一圈生锈的熟铁栅栏。
bùdà de jiàotáng mùdì zhōubiān wéi zhe yī juān shēngxiù de shóu tiě zhà lán。
The small churchyard was surrounded by a rusted wrought-iron fence.
2
两名男子站在新挖的坟墓边。
liǎng míng nánzǐ zhàn zài xīn wā de fénmù biān。
Two men were standing by the freshly dug grave.
3
他死的时候一文不名，葬在一处无名墓穴中。
tā sǐ de shíhou yī wén bù míng， zàng zài yī chǔ wú míng mù xué zhōng。
He did die a pauper and is buried in an unmarked grave.
4
他看见墓碑上有一些黑字写的东西。
tā kànjiàn mùbēi shàng yǒuyīxiē hēi zì xiě de dōngxi。
He saw something written in black on the gravestones.
