Definitions

mài put forth effort

Etymology phono-semantic

strength

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

means to exert physical strength, strive vigorously, or put forth great effort. It combines the phonetic on the left with the semantic radical 'strength, labor' on the right. Its traditional form uses as the phonetic component, with the same radical. The character denotes the mental or physical dedication required for arduous tasks, serving as a verb of encouragement or a descriptor for strenuous exertion in classical and formal literary contexts.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern