摩

mā, mó

手 + 麻

Definitions

mó (verb) to rub; to massage

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 手 represents the meaning and 麻 represents the sound.

Semantic: 手 Phonetic: 麻

About

The character 摩 is a phonosemantic compound, with the sound component 麻 (má) 'hemp' placed above the meaning component 手 (shǒu) 'hand'. Its primary sense involves manual friction: rubbing, scraping, or applying pressure with the hands or an object. This extends to massaging or stroking, often to relieve pain or smooth an area. By extension, it also means to study, analyze, or ponder a subject deeply, reflecting the mental process of repeatedly turning ideas over.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我每天骑摩托车。

Wǒ měitiān qí mótuōchē.

I ride a motorcycle every day.

摩天大楼很高。

Mótiān dàlóu hěn gāo.

Skyscrapers are very tall.

这座城市很摩登。

Zhè zuò chéngshì hěn módēng.

This city is very modern.

妈妈给我按摩肩膀。

Māmā gěi wǒ ànmó jiānbǎng.

Mom massages my shoulders for me.

汽车轮胎有摩擦声。

Qìchē lúntāi yǒu mócā shēng.

The car tires have a friction sound.

摩擦会产生热量。

Mócā huì chǎnshēng rèliàng.

Friction generates heat.

医生建议定期按摩背部。

Yīshēng jiànyì dìngqī ànmó bèibù.

The doctor recommends regular back massages.

我们观摩了工厂的生产过程。

Wǒmen guānmó le gōngchǎng de shēngchǎn guòchéng.

We observed the production process in the factory.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 手

Component: 麻

摩