Definitions
surname Wu
(literary) no; don't; to not have; nobody
Etymology
Originally written and pronounced the same as 母 (mother). Later it was slightly altered so the two characters could be distinguished.
About
The character 毋 originated as a variant of 母 (mother), sharing both its written form and pronunciation. Later, a horizontal stroke was added across the middle to distinguish the two, and this stroke was interpreted as a graphic sign of prohibition. In classical and formal contexts, 毋 serves as a negative particle, especially in imperative constructions where it means "do not" or "must not", commanding that an action be stopped or avoided. Today, it appears primarily in formal writing, fixed expressions, and classical texts, denoting negation or absence.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
请毋打扰。
毋以善小而不为。
他的能力毋庸置疑。
对此结果，我毋宁感到失望。
毋须为这些琐事烦心。
父母毋须过分担忧子女的未来。
在原则问题上，我们毋作任何妥协。
面对此等无端指控，他毋乃保持沉默。
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