抹 (mǒ) - to smear & to wipe
抹 · mǒ
to smear;
to wipe;
to apply;
to erase;
to plaster;
also pronounced mā (to wipe) and mò (to daub, plaster).
to smearto wipeto apply
Usage highlights
to wipeto smearto applyto plasterfacial creamto erase traces
Usage & contexts
Examples
- She applied cream to her face (抹面霜).
- He wiped the table clean (抹桌子).
- The worker plastered the wall (抹墙).
- Don't erase my words (别抹掉我的字).
Collocations
- to wipe(抹掉)
- to smear(涂抹)
- to apply(抹上)
- to plaster(抹灰)
- facial cream(抹脸霜)
- to erase traces(抹去痕迹)
Idioms
- Powder and paint(涂脂抹粉)
- To wipe one's tears(抹眼泪)
- To turn pale with fright(吓得抹了一脸灰)
- To apply gold and powder(抹金敷粉)
Cultural background
FAQ- Related to various manual actions involving spreading or wiping, from cosmetic application to construction work.
- In naming, can imply smoothing over difficulties or applying refinement.
- The character appears in idioms describing superficial beautification or hiding flaws.