摩 mó to scour
to scour; to rub; to grind; friction
How to remember 摩: 麻 hemp + 手 hand = to scour. With a rough hemp cloth in her hand, the cook starts to scour the burnt pot until it shines.
Component breakdown
形声 · Meaning + sound
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
摩 = 麻 hemp + 手 hand
- 麻 hemp sound
- 广 broad
- 林 a wood
- 木 tree
- 木 tree
- 手 hand meaning
With a rough hemp cloth in her hand, the cook starts to scour the burnt pot until it shines.
How it came to be
The hand below gives the meaning and the hemp gives the sound.
How it is used
- To rub/scour, or to consider closely: 摩擦 (mócā) friction (also figurative, minor conflict), 按摩 (ànmó) massage, 摩拳擦掌 (móquán-cāzhǎng) to itch for action.
- 揣摩 (chuǎimó) = to ponder/try to fathom; 观摩 (guānmó) = to observe and learn from.
- 摩托车 (mótuōchē) = motorbike; 摩天大楼 (mótiān dàlóu) = skyscraper (transliteration/lit. sky-scraping).
Words with 摩
Example sentences
- 骑摩托车很危险。 Qí mótuōchē hěn wēixiǎn.Riding a motorbike is very dangerous.