About
磨 refers to the physical act of grinding, rubbing, or polishing, and to the millstone tool used to crush grain. It is a phono-semantic compound with the semantic radical 石 (shí, "stone") at the bottom, indicating the material of grinding tools. The upper component is 麻 (má, "hemp"), which functions solely as a phonetic element. The meaning extends from the concrete action to abstract concepts like enduring hardship, wearing down patience through persistence, or meticulously refining a skill through repeated practice.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
磨刀不误砍柴工。
他总是喜欢在做事前磨蹭半天。
妈妈用石磨磨出了新鲜的豆浆。
多年的苦难磨炼了他坚强的意志。
学习书法需要耐心地磨墨。
他晚上睡觉有磨牙的习惯。
这套繁琐的审批程序真是磨人。
岁月的磨蚀让石碑上的字迹变得模糊。