默 mò silent
How to remember 默: 黑 black + 犬 dog = silent. The big black dog that barks at every bike stays completely silent when the vet walks in.
Component breakdown
形声 · Meaning + sound
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
默 = 黑 black + 犬 dog
- 黑 black sound
- sooty vent
- 灬 fire
- 犬 dog meaning
The big black dog that barks at every bike stays completely silent when the vet walks in.
How it came to be
The small seal form puts a dog beside black: the dog gives the meaning, black gives the sound.
How it is used
- Bound; silent. 沉默 (chénmò) silent/taciturn, 默默 (mòmò) quietly/without a word.
- 默默 (mòmò) = doing something silently/unnoticed: 默默付出 (mòmò fùchū) give quietly without seeking credit.
- 默契 (mòqì) = tacit understanding/rapport; 幽默 (yōumò) humor borrows it phonetically.
Words with 默
Example sentences
- 这个女人很幽默。 Zhège nǚrén hěn yōumò.This woman is humorous.