Learn a Chinese Character - 魔

1. Character Basics

Radical: 鬼 (ghost/demon radical, representing supernatural beings or evil spirits)

Stroke Count: 20 strokes

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: mó (Second tone)

3. Meaning

Demon; devil; monster; evil spirit; magic; witchcraft; sorcery; supernatural power; the devilish or evil side of human nature; to enchant; to charm; to bewitch; to possess; to plague; to torment; to be obsessed with

4. Common Words

• 魔鬼 (mó guǐ) - Devil; demon; monster
• 魔术 (mó shù) - Magic; conjuring; illusion
• 魔法 (mó fǎ) - Magic; sorcery; witchcraft
• 魔力 (mó lì) - Magical power; charm; fascination
• 魔王 (mó wáng) - Demon king; archdemon
• 魔掌 (mó zhǎng) - Devil's clutches; evil influence
• 魔咒 (mó zhòu) - Curse; spell; incantation
• 入魔 (rù mó) - To be possessed; to be obsessed; to be spellbound

5. Grammar & Usage

The character "魔" is primarily used as a noun, referring to demons, devils, or supernatural evil forces. It can also be used in compound words to indicate something magical or obsessive.

• As a noun: "魔" is often used in compound nouns to denote supernatural beings or evil forces, e.g., "魔鬼" (mó guǐ) - devil; "魔王" (mó wáng) - demon king.
• In compound words: "魔" is commonly combined with other characters to form words related to magic, spells, or obsession, e.g., "魔术" (mó shù) - magic; "入魔" (rù mó) - to be obsessed.
• Figurative usage: In modern Chinese, "魔" can be used figuratively to describe something that is extremely difficult to resist or overcome, e.g., "手机魔" (shǒu jī mó) - smartphone addiction.
• Collocation with verbs: "魔" often appears after verbs to indicate being controlled or obsessed by something, e.g., "着魔" (zháo mó) - to be possessed; "入魔" (rù mó) - to be spellbound.
• In idioms: "魔" is used in various idiomatic expressions, such as "走火入魔" (zǒu huǒ rù mó) - to be obsessed to the point of losing control.

6. Cultural Background

The character "魔" has rich cultural significance in Chinese traditions, mythology, and popular culture.

In Chinese mythology and folk beliefs, "魔" represents evil spirits, demons, or supernatural beings that bring harm or misfortune. These entities are often depicted in traditional stories as opposing forces that heroes must overcome.

In Buddhist tradition, "魔" (from Sanskrit "māra") refers to the forces that hinder spiritual progress, including desire, ignorance, and attachment. The concept of "战胜心魔" (zhàn shèng xīn mó) - overcoming one's inner demons - is an important theme in Chinese Buddhist philosophy.

In modern Chinese culture, "魔" is widely used in literature, film, and video games to represent magical or supernatural elements. It has also evolved to describe extreme passions or obsessions, such as being "工作狂" (gōng zuò kuáng) - a workaholic - or having an intense hobby.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character "魔" has 20 strokes and is composed of "麻" (má, hemp/fiber) on top and "鬼" (guǐ, ghost/demon) at the bottom. Here are some tips to remember it:

• Structure Analysis: Remember the top part "麻" (hemp) and the bottom part "鬼" (ghost). Together, they represent a ghost or demon associated with something tangled or confusing.
• Pronunciation Memory: The pronunciation "mó" rhymes with the character's meaning of something mysterious or magical.
• Meaning Association: Visualize a ghost or demon, which connects the character's shape (with "鬼" at the bottom) to its core meaning of evil spirits or magic.
• Stroke Order: Focus on writing the top part "麻" correctly first, then add the "鬼" radical at the bottom. Break it down into smaller parts to master the 20-stroke sequence.
• Usage Examples: Practice using words like "魔鬼" (demon) and "魔术" (magic) to reinforce both the character's form and meaning.