摸 (mō) - To touch & to feel with the hand

摸Tone 1

mō ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

妙慕

摸 · mō

To touch;

to feel with the hand;

to grope;

to stroke;

to imitate;

to find out;

to investigate.

To touchto feel with the handto grope

Usage highlights

Touch and feelGrope in the darkStroke the headInvestigate the situationFish in troubled watersFeel one's way

Synonyms

  • 触— to contact; to touch
  • 抚— to stroke; to caress
  • 探— to explore; to investigate

Antonyms

  • 放— to release; to let go (antonym of holding/touching)
  • 视— to look at; to see (antonym of tactile sense)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He gently touched her face (摸她的脸).
  • The child groped in the dark (在黑暗中摸索).
  • Let's try to find out the truth (摸清真相).
  • The cat likes to be stroked (被抚摸).

Collocations

  • Touch and feel(触摸)
  • Grope in the dark(摸索)
  • Stroke the head(摸头)
  • Investigate the situation(摸底)
  • Fish in troubled waters(浑水摸鱼)
  • Feel one's way(摸着石头过河)

Idioms

  • Grope for a needle in the ocean(大海捞针)
  • Feel one's way across the river by groping for stones(摸着石头过河)
  • Fish in troubled waters(浑水摸鱼)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character 摸 embodies a pragmatic, cautious approach, famously captured in Deng Xiaoping's phrase 'cross the river by feeling the stones' (摸着石头过河), symbolizing gradual, experimental reform.
  • It often implies a process of learning or investigation through direct, physical interaction or trial and error.
  • In some contexts, it can carry a negative connotation of furtive or improper touching.

FAQ