Definitions
(noun)
hair; feather; fur
(adjective)
coarse; unfinished
(noun)
monetary unit (one-tenth of yuan)
Etymology
Pictograph of a feather.
About
Originating as a pictograph depicting hair or fur, the character "毛" evolved from early visual representations of tufted strands into its now-stabilized form, maintaining a core association with filamentous growths throughout its graphical development. Its structure as an indivisible pictogram means it serves as a foundational semantic component in numerous compound characters, often imparting notions of texture, covering, or minute detail. The etymological focus on hair naturally extended to include similar materials like wool and down, while also generating abstract meanings such as superficiality, roughness, or something insignificant, as seen in terms denoting surface examination or trivial quantity, thereby demonstrating a logical progression from tangible reference to varied linguistic application.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我的毛衣很暖和。
她用毛线织围巾。
我喜欢用毛笔写字。
这台电脑有点毛病。
小狗毛茸茸的。
妈妈煮了毛豆给我吃。
这件毛皮大衣很昂贵。
他做事有点毛躁。