Definitions

máo (noun) hair; feather; fur
máo (adjective) coarse; unfinished
máo (noun) monetary unit (one-tenth of yuan)

Etymology

Pictograph of a feather.

About

毛 originated as a pictograph depicting a single strand of hair, animal fur, or a feather's barbs. As a radical and standalone word, its core meaning refers to the fine hair on human and animal bodies, distinct from the hair on the head. The sense extends to describe rough or fuzzy textures, raw or unprocessed materials, gross financial figures before deductions, and actions done in panic or haste.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的衣很暖和。

Wǒ de máoyī hěn nuǎnhuo.

My sweater is very warm.

她用线织围巾。

Tā yòng máoxiàn zhī wéijīn.

She uses wool yarn to knit a scarf.

我喜欢用笔写字。

Wǒ xǐhuān yòng máobǐ xiě zì.

I like to write with a writing brush.

这台电脑有点病。

Zhè tái diànnǎo yǒudiǎn máobìng.

This computer has a slight flaw.

小狗茸茸的。

Xiǎo gǒu máo róng róng de.

The puppy is furry.

妈妈煮了豆给我吃。

Māma zhǔle máodòu gěi wǒ chī.

Mom boiled edamame for me to eat.

这件皮大衣很昂贵。

Zhè jiàn máopí dàyī hěn ángguì.

This fur coat is very expensive.

他做事有点躁。

Tā zuòshì yǒudiǎn máozào.

He is a bit impetuous in doing things.