Definitions

máo (noun) thatch; reed

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 茅, which refers to the cogongrass used for thatch, is structured as a phono-semantic compound with the grass radical 艹 atop the phonetic component 矛, the latter providing its pronunciation. Its etymology consistently associates it with this specific plant, historically valued for roofing material in humble dwellings, and the character's core meaning has maintained this vegetative reference across centuries. While primarily denoting the grass itself, 茅 has also been employed in geographical designations and as a surname, reflecting an extended application within cultural and nominal contexts without a departure from its original botanical sense.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 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 Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
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)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

河边长满了草。

Hé biān zhǎng mǎn le máo cǎo.

The riverbank is overgrown with thatch grass.

爷爷住在一间屋里。

Yéye zhù zài yī jiān máo wū lǐ.

Grandpa lives in a thatched cottage.

爸爸喜欢喝台酒。

Bàba xǐhuan hē máotái jiǔ.

Dad likes to drink Maotai liquor.

草屋顶在风中摇晃。

Máo cǎo wūdǐng zài fēng zhōng yáohuàng.

The thatched roof sways in the wind.

他们用草搭建了临时帐篷。

Tāmen yòng máo cǎo dājiàn le línshí zhàngpéng.

They used thatch grass to build a temporary shelter.

这片草地是野兔的栖息地。

Zhè piàn máo cǎo dì shì yětù de qīxīdì.

This patch of thatch grass is a habitat for hares.

屋的简陋反映了主人的清贫生活。

Máo wū de jiǎnlòu fǎnyìng le zhǔrén de qīngpín shēnghuó.

The simplicity of the thatched cottage reflects the owner's impoverished life.

尽管草屋顶不如瓦片耐久,但它具有独特的自然美感。

Jǐnguǎn máo cǎo wūdǐng bùrú wǎpiàn nàijiǔ, dàn tā jùyǒu dútè de zìrán měigǎn.

Although thatched roofs are not as durable as tiles, they have a unique natural beauty.