Definitions

móu similar; comparable; equal

Etymology phono-semantic

person

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

is a phono-semantic compound: the person radical on the left links it to human relationships or comparative states between individuals, while the phonetic component on the right indicates its pronunciation "mou". Its core meaning is being completely equal or highly comparable in status, quality, or power. The character appears in formal and classical literary contexts to convey that two distinct entities, forces, or individuals match each other perfectly, possessing equivalent strength and parallel characteristics without one dominating the other.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern