Learn a Chinese Character - 冒 (Mào - Emerge; risk; brave)

1. Character Basics

Radical: 冒 (itself)

Stroke Count: 9

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Mào (Fourth tone)

3. Meaning

Basic Meaning: To come up; emerge; rise; risk; brave; dare; pretend; counterfeit;冒出 (to emerge)

4. Common Words

• 冒险 (mào xiǎn) - To take risks; adventure
• 冒出 (mào chū) - To emerge; to come out
• 冒充 (mào chōng) - To pretend to be; to pass oneself off as
• 感冒 (gǎn mào) - Cold (illness)
• 冒犯 (mào fàn) - To offend; to insult
• 冒泡 (mào pào) - To bubble up; to post a message online
• 冒失 (mào shī) - Rude; abrupt; reckless
• 冒名顶替 (mào míng dǐng tì) - To take someone else's place under false pretenses

5. Grammar & Usage

"冒" can be used as a verb meaning to emerge or rise, as in "冒出" (to emerge). It can also mean to risk or brave, as in "冒险" (to take risks). Additionally, it can mean to pretend or counterfeit, as in "冒充" (to pretend to be). When used in compound words like "感冒" (cold), its meaning is more idiomatic.

6. Cultural Background

The character "冒" originally depicted a person's head emerging from a covering, which is why it is associated with the concept of emerging or rising. In Chinese culture, the phrase "冒天下之大不韪" (to dare to do what everyone condemns) reflects the idea of taking extreme risks or defying social norms.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character "冒" can be visualized as a person's head emerging from under a covering. The top part looks like a hat or cover, and the bottom part represents a person inside. You can also remember the common word "冒险" (mào xiǎn) to help recall its meaning related to risk-taking.