About
The character "冒" originally depicted a head covering, specifically a hat that shaded the eyes, which is reflected in its traditional composition of "冃" representing a hat and "目" for the eye beneath it. This structure logically conveyed its core early meaning of "to cover" or "to shield". Over time, the meaning extended from the physical act of covering to more abstract applications, such as "to emit" or "to give off", as steam or smoke might seem to cover their source. The character further developed the sense of "to risk" or "to venture", conceptually arising from the idea of stepping forward with one's head covered or shielded, and also acquired the meaning of "to pretend" or "to falsely assume", implying a cover over one's true identity or intentions.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他冒着雨跑回家。
煮面时小心水冒出来。
感冒了就不要冒风出门。
他冒险去救那只小猫。
他的行为冒犯了很多人。
这个计划存在很大的冒进风险。
她敢于冒天下之大不韪说出真相。
在复杂局面下贸然行动是危险的冒失。