Definitions

(verb) to wipe
(verb) to smear; to wipe; to erase
(verb) to plaster; to go around

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 抹 is structured with the hand radical 扌 and the component 末, which functions phonetically. Its earliest recorded meanings involved actions of wiping or rubbing, and over time it acquired additional senses such as applying substances like paste or paint, erasing marks, and smearing surfaces. The hand radical consistently associates it with manual activity, while the semantic expansion incorporated contexts ranging from physical coating to metaphorical obliteration.

Etymology Hide

Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我用布擦桌子。

Wǒ yòng mā bù cā zhuōzi.

I use a cloth to wipe the table.

他在墙上涂颜料。

Tā zài qiáng shàng tú mǒ yán liào.

He is smearing paint on the wall.

掉黑板上的字。

Qǐng mǒ diào hēibǎn shàng de zì.

Please erase the words on the blackboard.

我喜欢喝茶拿铁。

Wǒ xǐhuān hē mǒ chá ná tiě.

I like to drink matcha latte.

我们不能杀他的功劳。

Wǒmen bù néng mǒ shā tā de gōngláo.

We cannot obliterate his contributions.

不要黑别人的名声。

Bùyào mǒ hēi biérén de míngshēng.

Do not smear others' reputation.

时间不去美好的回忆。

Shíjiān mǒ bù qù měihǎo de huíyì.

Time cannot wipe away beautiful memories.

她用精致的刀涂奶油。

Tā yòng jīngzhì de mǒ dāo tú mǒ nǎiyóu.

She uses a fine spatula to spread cream.