Learn a Chinese Character - 慕

1. Character Basics

Radical: 小 (xiǎo, small)

Stroke Count: 14 strokes

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: mù (Fourth tone)

3. Meaning

to admire; to respect; to envy; to yearn for; to long for; to desire; to cherish; to look up to; to be fond of; to covet; to crave; to idolize; to adore; to venerate; to revere; to be envious of; to have a crush on; to be infatuated with; to pine for; to miss

4. Common Words

• 羡慕 (xiànmù) - to envy; to admire
• 慕名 (mùmíng) - to come to see sb because of their fame
• 爱慕 (àimù) - to love; to adore; to be fond of
• 敬慕 (jìngmù) - to respect and admire
• 渴慕 (kěmù) - to long for; to yearn for
• 思慕 (sīmù) - to miss; to cherish the memory of
• 仰慕 (yǎngmù) - to look up to; to venerate
• 倾慕 (qīngmù) - to have a crush on; to be infatuated with

5. Grammar & Usage

"慕" is primarily used as a verb indicating admiration, respect, or yearning. It is often combined with other characters to form compound verbs or adjectives expressing various emotional states related to admiration or desire.

• Verb Usage: As a transitive verb meaning "to admire" or "to yearn for".
• Modifier in Compound Words: Frequently used in compound verbs like "羡慕" (xiànmù, to envy) and "爱慕" (àimù, to adore).
• Adjective Usage: In some contexts, it can function as an adjective meaning "admiring" or "yearning".
• Formal and Literary Contexts: More commonly used in formal writing and literature than in casual conversation.
• Figurative Usage: Can be used figuratively to express a strong desire for something unattainable.

6. Cultural Background

In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of "慕" (admiration or yearning) has deep roots in Confucian philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of respecting and emulating virtuous individuals. This cultural value is reflected in phrases like "见贤思齐" (jiàn xián sī qí), meaning "when you see a virtuous person, strive to be like them".

Chinese literature and poetry have long celebrated the theme of admiration and yearning, whether for virtuous role models, distant lovers, or idealized states of being. Many classical poems express the pain of longing and the beauty of unrequited admiration, showcasing the emotional depth associated with this character.

The character "慕" also plays a role in Chinese social etiquette, where expressing admiration for others' achievements or qualities is considered a polite and virtuous behavior. This reflects the collectivist nature of Chinese society, which values harmony and mutual respect.

In contemporary Chinese culture, while the character "慕" retains its traditional meanings, it is also used in modern contexts such as social media and popular culture to express admiration for celebrities, public figures, or inspiring individuals, demonstrating its adaptability across different eras.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character "慕" has 14 strokes and is composed of two main parts: the radical "小" (xiǎo, small) on top, and the lower part "莫" (mò), which provides the pronunciation. Together, these components create a character that conveys the idea of looking up to or admiring something greater.

• Structure Analysis: Break the character into "莫" (mò) and "小" (xiǎo). The radical "小" at the top suggests something small or humble looking up to something greater.
• Sound Association: The pronunciation "mù" is similar to the English word "mood", which can help with memorization.
• Meaning Connection: Think of the emotion of admiration (羡慕) to connect the character's form with its meaning.
• Character Components: The lower part "莫" can be further broken down into "艹" (cǎo, grass), "日" (rì, sun), and "大" (dà, big). Imagine a small plant (小) looking up to the big sun behind the grass.
• Memory Mnemonic: Create a mental image: "A small person (小) looks up (莫) with admiration." This connects both the structure and meaning of the character.