Learn a Chinese Character - 母

1. Character Basics

Radical: 母 (mother; female parent; itself a radical representing motherhood or female-related concepts)

Stroke Count: 5 strokes

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: mǔ (Third tone)

3. Meaning

mother; female parent; maternal; motherly; female; dam (female animal); origin; source; root; basis; main; primary; original; fundamental; essential; chief; principal; core; central; key

4. Common Words

• 母亲 (mǔ qīn): mother
• 父母 (fù mǔ): parents (father and mother)
• 母语 (mǔ yǔ): mother tongue; native language
• 母鸡 (mǔ jī): hen
• 母校 (mǔ xiào): alma mater
• 母爱 (mǔ ài): maternal love
• 祖母 (zǔ mǔ): grandmother (paternal or maternal)
• 母亲河 (mǔ qīn hé): mother river (a river that is the source of a civilization)

5. Grammar & Usage

"母" is primarily used as a noun to refer to mother or female parent, but it also functions as a modifier in compound words to indicate maternal relationships or female characteristics. It can be used both literally and metaphorically to denote origin or source.

• Noun Usage: Used independently to mean "mother" (e.g., 我的母在做饭 - My mother is cooking)
• Modifier in Compound Words: Combined with other characters to form words related to motherhood or femininity (e.g., 母亲 mǔ qīn - mother, 母爱 mǔ ài - maternal love)
• Metaphorical Usage: Used metaphorically to refer to the origin or source of something (e.g., 母语 mǔ yǔ - mother tongue, 母亲河 mǔ qīn hé - mother river)
• Animal Classification: Used to indicate female animals (e.g., 母鸡 mǔ jī - hen, 母牛 mǔ niú - cow)
• Idiomatic Expressions: Appears in idioms and proverbs related to motherhood and family values (e.g., 母慈子孝 mǔ cí zǐ xiào - mother is kind, children are filial)

6. Cultural Background

In Chinese culture, the character "母" holds profound significance as it represents one of the core values of filial piety and family harmony. The respect and reverence for mothers is deeply rooted in Confucian teachings, which emphasize the importance of family relationships.

Ancient Chinese society placed great emphasis on maternal roles, with mothers being seen as the nurturers and educators of the next generation. This cultural value is reflected in numerous proverbs, poems, and literary works that praise maternal love and sacrifice.

The character "母" also appears in many traditional customs and festivals. For example, Mother's Day, though not a traditional Chinese festival, has been widely celebrated in modern China, combining Western traditions with Chinese cultural values.

In Chinese calligraphy and art, the character "母" is often used to express themes of love, nurturing, and family. Its simple yet profound structure has made it a popular subject for artists seeking to convey deep emotional connections and cultural identity.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character "母" has 5 strokes and its shape resembles a mother holding a child. Here are some tips to help you remember it:

• Structure Analysis: Observe the character's shape, which looks like a mother with a child in her arms. The top horizontal line represents the head, the vertical line is the body, and the two dots below represent a child being held.
• Sound Association: The pronunciation "mǔ" sounds similar to "moo" in English, which is the sound a cow (母牛 mǔ niú) makes - a female animal.
• Meaning Connection: Think of the most basic meaning "mother" and how the character visually represents nurturing and care.
• Character Components: "母" is a simple character without additional components, making it easy to recognize once you've memorized its unique shape.
• Memory Mnemonic: "母亲怀抱，母爱无疆" (Mǔ qīn huái bào, mǔ ài wú jiāng) - "Mother's embrace, motherly love knows no bounds". This helps associate the character with its cultural significance.