卯

夘/戼

mǎo

卩 + 𠂎

Definitions

mǎo mortise (slot cut into wood to receive a tenon); 4th earthly branch: 5–7 a.m., 2nd solar month (6th March–4th April), Year of the Rabbit; ancient Chinese compass point: 90° (east); (coll.) to concentrate one's strength (variant of 鉚|铆[mǎo])

mǎo variant of 卯[mǎo]

mǎo old variant of 卯[mǎo]

Etymology

Depicts two knives side-by-side. Based on the original meaning "butcher's knife". The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

The character 卯 originated as a drawing of two knives side-by-side, carrying the meaning "butcher's knife". Through phonetic loan, it came to represent the fourth of the twelve Earthly Branches, which function as key markers in the traditional calendar, timekeeping, and astrology. In this role, it is linked to the Rabbit zodiac sign and defines the two-hour period from 5 to 7 a.m., coinciding with sunrise.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 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)

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 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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他每天卯时起床。

Tā měitiān mǎo shí qǐchuáng.

He gets up at Mao hour every day.

我们要卯足劲工作。

Wǒmen yào mǎo zú jìn gōngzuò.

We need to put in extra effort to work.

早上点卯很重要。

Zǎoshang diǎnmǎo hěn zhòngyào.

Morning attendance check is important.

公司在卯时开始营业。

Gōngsī zài mǎo shí kāishǐ yíngyè.

The company starts business at Mao hour.

为了成功，他卯足了全力。

Wèile chénggōng, tā mǎo zúle quánlì.

For success, he put in all his effort.

卯时的阳光非常柔和。

Mǎo shí de yángguāng fēicháng róuhé.

The sunlight at Mao hour is very soft.

虽然很困，但他还是卯时起床了。

Suīrán hěn kùn, dàn tā háishì mǎo shí qǐchuángle.

Although very sleepy, he still got up at Mao hour.

在项目最后阶段，团队卯足了劲。

Zài xiàngmù zuìhòu jiēduàn, tuánduì mǎo zúle jìn.

In the final stage of the project, the team put in extra effort.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 卩

Component: 𠂎

Example Words