Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
模 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
模móto imitateHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 木, rank #2092, Very Hard
模mómoldHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 木, rank #2092, Very Hard
模mómodelHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 木, rank #2092, Very Hard
模módieHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 木, rank #2092, Very Hard
模mónormHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 木, rank #2092, Very Hard
模mómatrixHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 木, rank #2092, Very Hard
模mópatternHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 木, rank #2092, Very Hard
模mómodel, pattern, standard; to copy, to imitateHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 木, rank #2092, Very Hard
模múto imitateHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 木, rank #2092, Very Hard
模múmoldHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 木, rank #2092, Very Hard
模múmodelHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 木, rank #2092, Very Hard
模múdieHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 木, rank #2092, Very Hard
模múnormHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 木, rank #2092, Very Hard
模múmatrixHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 木, rank #2092, Very Hard
模múpatternHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 木, rank #2092, Very Hard
模múmodel, pattern, standard; to copy, to imitateHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 木, rank #2092, Very Hard
mó(mo2)
primary
 T2
  1. 1to imitate
  2. 2mold
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

模mó(mo2)

The character 模 (mó) primarily means 'mold' or 'model,' referring to a physical form used for shaping materials or a standard for imitation. It can also signify a pattern or norm that serves as a guide for behavior or design. In contexts like manufacturing or art, it indicates a template that can be replicated.

Strokes14Radical木Frequency#2092DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese craftsmanship, 模 (mó) is integral to processes like pottery and woodwork, where artisans create molds to replicate intricate designs. This highlights the value placed on craftsmanship and the importance of standards in Chinese art.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'mold' shaped like a 'mo' (a playful character resembling a child imitating something). Picture this child trying to create copies of toys using the mold, highlighting both the physical and conceptual aspects of 模. The character is formed by the '木' (wood) radical and '莫' (to not), suggesting creating something from wood while not directly copying it.

Meanings of 模

mó(mo2)
primary
1to imitate
2mold
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 模

模Simplified
14Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2092Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7

Podcast: 模

JasonAmy

Podcast: 模

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 模

Quick Contrast

模 (mó, mold/model) vs 样 (yàng, sample/type) — use 模 when referring to a specific mold or model for shaping, while 样 is more general, referring to a type or sample.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone, as 模 (mó) has a second tone that can be confused with the first tone of 'mó' (to wipe). It’s often used in contexts related to models or standards, so collocations like 模式 (móshì - model/pattern) are common. In more formal contexts, it’s better to use this word to describe design or standards rather than in casual conversation.

HSK Study Tips

Although 模 (mó) may not appear in the earlier HSK levels, it connects well with other words related to imitation and standards, such as 复制 (fùzhì - to copy) and 标准 (biāozhǔn - standard). Students should focus on understanding its application in various contexts and familiarize themselves with related terms.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 模 (mó) with similar-sounding characters, such as 摸 (mō - to touch). For example, saying '我想摸一个模' (wǒ xiǎng mō yīgè mó - I want to touch a mold) mixes the meanings; it should be '我想用一个模' (wǒ xiǎng yòng yīgè mó - I want to use a mold).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 模

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 模 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 模

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 莫 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

tree

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)莫
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 模

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 莫 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half莫 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaytree
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 模? 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 模?

Decomposition of 模

IDS Structure⿰木莫
模Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
莫Mo4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 模?

How to say to imitate in Chinese

“to imitate” in Chinese is模mó

The character 模 (mó) primarily means 'mold' or 'model,' referring to a physical form used for shaping materials or a standard for imitation. It can also signify a pattern or norm that serves as a guide for behavior or design. In contexts like manufacturing or art, it indicates a template that can be replicated.

When to use 模

Be cautious with the tone, as 模 (mó) has a second tone that can be confused with the first tone of 'mó' (to wipe). It’s often used in contexts related to models or standards, so collocations like 模式 (móshì - model/pattern) are common. In more formal contexts, it’s better to use this word to describe design or standards rather than in casual conversation.

模 or something close to it

模 (mó, mold/model) vs 样 (yàng, sample/type) — use 模 when referring to a specific mold or model for shaping, while 样 is more general, referring to a type or sample.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 模 (mó) with similar-sounding characters, such as 摸 (mō - to touch). For example, saying '我想摸一个模' (wǒ xiǎng mō yīgè mó - I want to touch a mold) mixes the meanings; it should be '我想用一个模' (wǒ xiǎng yòng yīgè mó - I want to use a mold).

Write 模

模

Practice writing 模 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 模

模 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 8 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.

Related grammar lessons3
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

你可以和戴维·贝克汉姆的纸板____型合影。

You can have your picture taken with a cutout of David Beckham.

Common Confusions with 模

模vs摩
mó

Same pronunciation but different meaning and usage.

模vs模仿
mófǎng

Related in meaning but different in usage; 模 is a noun, while 模仿 is a verb.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to imitate"?

or

Example Sentences for 模 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
你可以和戴维·贝克汉姆的纸板模型合影。

nǐ kě yǐ hé dài wéi· · bèi kè hàn mǔ de zhǐ bǎn mó xíng hé。

You can have your picture taken with a cutout of David Beckham.
2
你真该看看他谈到家的时候眼睛放光的模样。

nǐ zhēn gāi kàn kàn tā tán dào jiā de shí hòu yǎn jīng fàng guāng de mó yàng。

You should see his eyes light up when he talks about home.
3
向导程序和模板可以帮助你创建手册、日历和网页。

xiàng dǎo chéng xù hé mó bǎn kě yǐ bāng zhù nǐ chuàng jiàn shǒu cè、 、 rì lì hé wǎng。

Wizards and templates can help you create brochures, calendars, and Web pages.
4
这个实用的基础模型较为简略地解释了人类的行为。

zhè gè shí yòng de jī chǔ mó xíng jiào wéi jiǎn lüè dì jiě shì le rén lèi de háng wéi。

This basic utilitarian model gives a relatively unsophisticated account of human behaviour.
5
图表1中的曲线表现了这一模式。

tú biǎo1 1 zhōng de qū xiàn biǎo xiàn le zhè yī mó。

The kinked line in chart 1 represents this pattern.
6
眼泪哗哗地流下来，她的视线一下子就模糊了。

yǎn lèi huá huá dì liú xià lái， ， tā de shì xiàn yī xià zǐ jiù mó hū。

The tears were streaming so fast she could not see.
7
心头涌起一阵强烈的感情，模糊了他的判断力。

xīn tóu yǒng qǐ yī zhèn qiáng liè de gǎn qíng， ， mó hū le tā de pàn duàn。

A tide of emotion rose and clouded his judgement.
8
在过去的17年中，收藏的规模不断扩大。

zài guò qù de17 17 nián， zhōng ， shōu cáng de guī mó bù duàn。

The collection has been built up over the last seventeen years.
9
我看见另有一些模糊的影子晃了一下就不见了。

wǒ kàn jiàn lìng yǒu yī xiē mó hū de yǐng zǐ huǎng le yī xià jiù bù jiàn le。

I saw other indistinct shapes that stayed out of vision.
10
他是个模范的专业人士，是年轻人的榜样。

tā shì gè mó fàn de zhuān yè rén shì， ， shì nián qīng rén de bǎng。

He is a model professional and an example to the younger lads.

Word Family of 模

Words Containing This Character20
模特mótè(fashion) model (loanword)
模式móshìmode
规模guīmóscale規模
模mómodel
模型móxíngmodel
模仿mófǎngto imitate
大规模dàguīmólarge scale大規模
模拟mónǐimitation模擬
模糊móhuvague
模样múyànglook模樣
一模一样yìmúyíyàngcarbon copy一模一樣
模范mófànmodel模範
模块functional unit模塊
超模supermodel
模板template
名模top model
模具mold
楷模kǎimómodel
装模作样to indulge in histrionics裝模作樣
劳模model worker勞模
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 模特 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 模

模 (mó) generally refers to the concept of a mold or pattern, whereas 模型 (móxíng) specifically means 'model' or 'prototype.' The distinction lies in the specificity of 模型 being a physical representation or scale model, while 模 can be more abstract.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 模?

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.