Chinese Character: 毛
1. Character Basics
Radical: 毛 (itself)
Stroke Count: 4
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Máo (Second tone)
3. Meaning
Basic Meaning: Hair; fur; feather; down; whiskers; wool; bristle;毛毛 (fluffy)
4. Common Words
- 毛笔 (máo bǐ) - Writing brush
- 毛衣 (máo yī) - Sweater
- 毛巾 (máo jīn) - Towel
- 羽毛 (yǔ máo) - Feather
- 皮毛 (pí máo) - Fur
- 毛发 (máo fà) - Hair
- 毛病 (máo bìng) - Fault; defect
- 鸡毛蒜皮 (jī máo suàn pí) - Trivial matters
5. Grammar & Usage
"毛" is primarily used as a noun referring to hair, fur, or feathers. It can also be used as an adjective to describe things that are fuzzy or furry. When combined with other characters, it forms many compound words related to hair, textiles, and small things.
6. Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, "毛笔" (writing brush) has been an essential tool for calligraphy and painting for thousands of years, representing traditional Chinese art and culture. Additionally, phrases like "毛遂自荐" (Máo Suì recommending himself) come from historical stories and are still used today to describe someone volunteering for a task.
7. Example Sentence
中文: 我需要买一支新毛笔练习书法。
Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào mǎi yī zhī xīn máo bǐ liànxí shūfǎ.
English: I need to buy a new writing brush to practice calligraphy.
8. Memory Tips
Imagine a tuft of hair or fur standing up. The four strokes of "毛" can be visualized as individual strands of hair sticking out in different directions. You can also associate it with common objects like a writing brush or a sweater to help remember its meaning.