Learn a Chinese Character - 模

1. Character Basics

Radical: \u6982 (wood radical, simplified as \u6982 radical, representing wood or wooden objects)

Stroke Count: 14 strokes

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: mú (Second tone) or mó (Second tone, depending on meaning)

3. Meaning

Pronounced 'mú': Model; pattern; mold; matrix; form; shape; appearance; look; figure
Pronounced 'mó': To imitate; to model on; to copy; to follow; to simulate; to mold; to cast; to pattern after; standard; norm; example; prototype; module; mode; modulus

4. Common Words

• \u6a21\u578b (mó xíng) - Model; shape; form; pattern
• \u6a21\u7248 (mó bǎn) - Template; stencil; pattern plate
• \u6a21\u7406 (mó lǐ) - Model; theory; principle
• \u6a21\u5f0f (mó shì) - Mode; pattern; style
• \u5199\u6a21 (mó xiě) - To copy; to transcribe
• \u6a21\u8c61 (mú yàng) - Pattern; model; appearance
• \u5982\u6a21\u5982\u62c5 (mú yàng mú yī) - Exactly the same; identical
• \u6a21\u6a21\u66f4\u65b0 (mó mó gēng xīn) - To innovate continuously; to keep improving

5. Grammar & Usage

The character \u6a21\u0022 has two different pronunciations with distinct meanings: 'mú' (noun) and 'mó' (verb or noun). This is a common phenomenon in Chinese called "polyphonic character". Here are the common grammatical patterns for each pronunciation:

• Pronounced 'mú' (noun): Used to refer to a model, pattern, or appearance. Example: \u6a21\u8c61\u0022 (mú yàng) meaning "pattern" or "model"
• Pronounced 'mó' (verb): Used to mean "to imitate" or "to model on". Example: \u6a21\u4ed6\u0022 (mó tā) meaning "to imitate him"
• Pronounced 'mó' (noun): Used to refer to a standard, norm, or example. Example: \u6a21\u578b\u0022 (mó xíng) meaning "model" or "shape"
• In compound words: \u6a21\u6a21\u66f4\u65b0\u0022 (mó mó gēng xīn) meaning "to innovate continuously"
• In idiomatic expressions: \u5982\u6a21\u5982\u62c5\u0022 (mú yàng mú yī) meaning "exactly the same" or "identical"

6. Cultural Background

In Chinese culture, the character \u6a21\u0022 carries rich cultural connotations related to craftsmanship, learning, and social norms. Historically, the concept of \u6a21\u578b\u0022 (mó xíng, model) has been central to traditional Chinese education, emphasizing the importance of learning from exemplars and following established patterns.

Moreover, in traditional Chinese craftsmanship, such as pottery and bronze casting, the use of molds (\u6a21\u0022, pronounced 'mú') represented a sophisticated level of technological development. This cultural heritage is reflected in modern Chinese, where \u6a21\u0022 continues to be used in contexts related to modeling, standardization, and pattern-making across various fields.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character \u6a21\u0022 has 14 strokes and is composed of the \u6982\u0022 (wood radical) on the left and \u89c1\u0022 (see) on the right. Here are some tips to help you remember this character:

• Structure analysis: The left part \u6982\u0022 (wood radical) indicates that it's related to wooden objects or materials, while the right part \u89c1\u0022 (see) suggests the concept of "to see" or "to observe", combining to imply "a wooden object that one can see as a pattern or model"
• Pronunciation memory: The right part \u89c1\u0022 (jiàn) provides a pronunciation clue for the 'mó' pronunciation
• Meaning association: Connect \u6a21\u0022 with the idea of making a mold or following a model
• Stroke order practice: Focus on the correct sequence of strokes, especially for the right part \u89c1\u0022
• Usage examples: Use words like \u6a21\u578b\u0022 (mó xíng) and \u6a21\u6a21\u66f4\u65b0\u0022 (mó mó gēng xīn) in sentences to reinforce memory