Learn a Chinese Character - 末

1. Character Basics

Radical: 木 (tree/wood radical, representing plants or wooden objects)

Stroke Count: 5 strokes

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: mò (Fourth tone)

3. Meaning

End; tip; bottom; last part; final stage; least important; minor; insignificant; terminus; terminal; end point; conclusion; final section; tail end; the last of something

4. Common Words

• 末尾 (mò wěi) - end; tail end; conclusion
• 期末 (qī mò) - end of term; end of semester
• 周末 (zhōu mò) - weekend
• 末端 (mò duān) - end; tip; terminal
• 年末 (nián mò) - end of year; year-end
• 末世 (mò shì) - last phase; end times; apocalypse
• 末了 (mò liǎo) - in the end; finally; ultimately
• 末路 (mò lù) - dead end; last road; impasse

5. Grammar & Usage

"末" is primarily a noun meaning "end", "tip", or "last part". It is often used in compound words or phrases to indicate the conclusion or final part of something. It can also be used as a suffix to form words related to the end or conclusion of a period or process.

• Noun Usage: 末尾 (end), 末端 (tip), 末路 (dead end)
• Time-Related Compounds: 周末 (weekend), 期末 (end of term), 年末 (end of year)
• Position Indicators: 在队伍的末尾 (at the end of the line), 在文章的末尾 (at the end of the article)
• Figurative Use: 末班车 (last chance), 末路 (desperate situation)
• Suffix Usage: 始末 (beginning and end), 本末 (fundamentals and details)

6. Cultural Background

In Chinese culture, the character "末" holds significant meaning related to time, order, and philosophical concepts. It is often used in traditional contexts to denote the end of a cycle or the conclusion of a period, reflecting the Chinese cultural emphasis on balance between beginnings and endings.

The concept of "始末" (beginning and end) is particularly important in Chinese philosophy, highlighting the interconnectedness of all things and the cyclical nature of existence. This is rooted in Taoist principles that emphasize the unity of opposites and the natural flow of life.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of "末端" (end/tip) is used to describe acupuncture points located at the extremities of the body, which are believed to connect to the body's energy meridians. This reflects the holistic view of the body in Chinese medical traditions.

In modern Chinese culture, "周末" (weekend) has become an essential part of work-life balance, while expressions like "末班车" (last bus/chance) are commonly used in everyday language to convey the importance of seizing opportunities before they are gone.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character "末" has 5 strokes and is derived from "木" (tree/wood). The horizontal line at the top distinguishes it from "未" (wèi) and symbolizes the topmost part or end of something.

• Structure Analysis: "末" can be visualized as the topmost part of a tree ("木") with an extra horizontal line, representing the end or tip of a branch.
• Character Comparison: Compare with "未" (wèi) which has a shorter top horizontal line and means "not yet". Remember that "末" has the longer top line, indicating the "end" position.
• Meaning Association: Connect "末" with words like "周末" (weekend), "期末" (end of term), and "末尾" (end) to reinforce its meaning of "end" or "final part".
• Stroke Practice: Start with the vertical line, then add the horizontal lines from top to bottom, making sure the top line is the longest.
• Mnemonic Device: Think of "末" as the "end" marker, like the period at the end of a sentence or the final stop on a journey.