Learn a Chinese Character - 默

1. Character Basics

Radical: 黑 (black radical, representing black color or darkness-related concepts)

Stroke Count: 16 strokes

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: mò (Fourth tone)

3. Meaning

Meanings of 默 (mò): silent; quiet; tacit; implicit; silent agreement; to keep silent; to be quiet; to remain silent; taciturn; unspoken; implied; secret; dark; black; silent contemplation; quiet thought; implicit understanding; unexpressed; silent observation; inward thought

4. Common Words

• 沉默 (chén mò) - Silence; to be silent; to keep quiet
• 默认 (mò rèn) - Default; to accept by silence; to acquiesce
• 默写 (mò xiě) - To write from memory; dictation from memory
• 默认值 (mò rèn zhí) - Default value; preset value
• 默默 (mò mò) - Silently; quietly; without speaking
• 默然 (mò rán) - Silent; quiet; without a word
• 默契 (mò qì) - Tacit understanding; implicit agreement
• 默哀 (mò āi) - Silent mourning; moment of silence

5. Grammar & Usage

The character 默 (mò) is primarily used as an adjective or adverb meaning "silent" or "quiet" in Chinese. It can also function as a verb meaning "to keep silent" or "to be quiet".

• Adjective Usage: Describing someone or something as silent, quiet, or taciturn.
• Adverb Usage: Modifying verbs to indicate that an action is done silently or quietly.
• Verb Usage: Expressing the action of keeping silent or being quiet.
• Compound Words: Forming compound words related to silence, quietness, or implicit understanding.
• Idiomatic Expressions: Used in idioms and set phrases that convey the concept of silence or unspoken understanding.

6. Cultural Background

In Chinese culture, 默 (mò) holds significant philosophical and cultural meaning. It is often associated with Confucian and Daoist ideals of contemplation, restraint, and inner wisdom.

The concept of 默 (silence) is highly valued in traditional Chinese thought. The phrase "沉默是金" (chén mò shì jīn) translates to "silence is gold," emphasizing the wisdom in being quiet and thoughtful rather than speaking impulsively.

In Chinese literature and art, 默 (mò) is often used to convey depth of emotion or thought that cannot be easily expressed in words. Many classical poems and paintings evoke a sense of quiet contemplation and inner peace.

In modern Chinese society, 默 (mò) continues to be important in interpersonal relationships, where maintaining harmony through thoughtful silence is often preferred over direct confrontation or excessive talk.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character 默 (mò) has 16 strokes and consists of 黑 (hēi, black) on the left and 犬 (quǎn, dog) on the right.

• Structure Analysis: The character 默 (mò) combines 黑 (black) and 犬 (dog). One interpretation is that it represents a black dog, which was historically associated with silence or quietness.
• Sound Association: The pronunciation "mò" (fourth tone) sounds similar to the English word "mow", which is a quiet, repetitive action.
• Meaning Connection: Visualize a quiet, silent scene - someone sitting quietly, not speaking, or a peaceful environment with no noise.
• Character Components: Remember that 默 (mò) contains 黑 (black) on the left, which connects to the idea of darkness or quietness, and 犬 (dog) on the right.
• Memory Rhyme: "默有十六画，黑犬左右分，无声又无息，沉默记心间。" (Mò yǒu shí liù huà, hēi quǎn zuǒ yòu fēn, wú shēng yòu wú xī, chén mò jì xīn jiān.) This rhyme helps remember the structure, stroke count, and meaning of the character.