Learn a Chinese Character - 墓

1. Character Basics

Radical: 土 (tǔ, earth/soil)

Stroke Count: 13 strokes

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: mù (Fourth tone)

3. Meaning

tomb; grave; cemetery; burial place; sepulcher; mausoleum; burial site; final resting place; place of interment; memorial site; tombstone; grave marker; burial mound; tomb chamber; grave site; sepulture; necropolis; resting place; memorial; monument

4. Common Words

• 墓地 (mù dì) - graveyard; cemetery
• 墓碑 (mù bēi) - tombstone; gravestone
• 扫墓 (sǎo mù) - to sweep a grave; to visit and clean a grave
• 陵墓 (líng mù) - mausoleum; imperial tomb
• 墓穴 (mù xué) - grave; burial pit
• 古墓 (gǔ mù) - ancient tomb
• 公墓 (gōng mù) - public cemetery
• 墓志铭 (mù zhì míng) - epitaph; inscription on a tombstone

5. Grammar & Usage

The character "墓" primarily functions as a noun referring to a tomb or grave. It is often used in compound words related to burial, memorialization, and the afterlife in Chinese culture. While it is most commonly a noun, it can also be part of verb phrases when combined with other characters.

• Noun Usage: Refers to a place where a dead person is buried (e.g., "墓地" - graveyard, "墓碑" - tombstone).
• Modifier in Compound Words: Used as a prefix to form words related to tombs and burial practices (e.g., "墓穴" - grave pit, "陵墓" - mausoleum).
• Verb Phrases: When combined with other characters, forms verb phrases related to tomb-related activities (e.g., "扫墓" - to sweep a grave, a traditional Chinese custom).
• Idiomatic Expressions: Appears in idioms related to death, remembrance, or historical sites (e.g., "墓木已拱" - the trees on a grave have grown to be as thick as one's arm, indicating that a long time has passed since someone's death).
• Formal and Literary Contexts: Often used in formal or literary contexts, such as historical texts, epitaphs, or discussions of cultural practices.

6. Cultural Background

The character "墓" holds profound cultural significance in Chinese civilization, reflecting traditional beliefs about death, ancestor worship, and the afterlife. In Chinese culture, maintaining and honoring family graves is considered a vital duty, symbolizing respect for one's ancestors and continuity of family lineage.

Ancestor worship, known as "敬祖" (jìng zǔ), is a cornerstone of Chinese culture, and visiting family graves ("扫墓" - sǎo mù) during festivals like Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day) is a deeply rooted tradition. During these visits, people clean the graves, offer food and incense, and pay respects to their departed loved ones.

Historically, the design and location of tombs were influenced by Feng Shui principles, with the belief that a well-placed tomb would bring good fortune to the deceased's descendants. Emperors and nobility constructed elaborate mausoleums, such as the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor with its Terracotta Army, as a testament to their power and to ensure a comfortable afterlife.

Today, while burial practices have evolved, the cultural significance of "墓" remains strong. Tomb-Sweeping Day continues to be widely observed, and the character serves as a reminder of China's rich cultural heritage and the enduring importance of family ties and ancestral respect.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character "墓" consists of 13 strokes. It can be visualized as combining the radical "土" (tǔ, earth/soil) at the bottom with the character "莫" (mò, do not/no) on top, representing a place in the earth where someone is laid to rest.

• Structure Analysis: Break it down into "莫" (mò) on top and "土" (tǔ, earth) at the bottom. This visually represents something ("莫") related to the earth ("土"), which connects to the concept of a grave.
• Sound Association: The pronunciation "mù" rhymes with "木" (mù, wood), "目" (mù, eye), and "牧" (mù, herd), making it easy to remember.
• Meaning Connection: Think of a grave as a place in the earth ("土") where a person is laid to rest, and the character "莫" on top can be associated with the finality of death.
• Character Components: Recognize that "土" (earth/soil) is the radical, indicating the character's connection to the ground or burial, while "莫" contributes to the pronunciation and adds to the meaning of something final or end.
• Memory Mnemonic: Create a mental image of a tombstone ("莫") standing above the ground ("土"), marking the final resting place of a person. The phrase "入土为安" (rù tǔ wéi ān), meaning "to rest in peace when buried," can also help reinforce the character's meaning and cultural context.