磨 (mó) - To grind & to polish

磨Tone 2

mó ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

妙慕

磨 · mó

To grind;

to polish;

to wear down;

to rub;

to pester;

to dawdle;

a millstone;

a grindstone.

To grindto polishto wear down

Usage highlights

GrindSharpen a knifeTofu grindingMillstoneTrouble someoneWear down

Synonyms

  • 研— To grind; to research
  • 琢— To carve and polish (jade)
  • 擦— To rub; to scrub

Antonyms

  • 锐— Sharp; acute (opposite of worn/dulled)
  • 快— Fast; quick (opposite of dawdling)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Grind soybeans to make tofu (磨豆腐).
  • Polish a knife on a whetstone (磨刀).
  • Wear down the enemy's strength (磨敌人的力量).
  • Dawdle and waste time (磨时间).

Collocations

  • Grind(磨碎)
  • Sharpen a knife(磨刀)
  • Tofu grinding(磨豆腐)
  • Millstone(磨盘)
  • Trouble someone(磨人)
  • Wear down(磨损)

Idioms

  • Tempered through a hundred grindings(百炼千磨)
  • Grind an iron pestle into a needle(磨杵成针)
  • Grind through ink and wield the brush(磨墨挥毫)
  • A millstone around the neck(磨盘压身)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Associated with perseverance and gradual achievement, as in the idiom 'grind an iron pestle into a needle'.
  • Historically linked to manual labor and craftsmanship, involving milling grains and sharpening tools.
  • In naming, can imply resilience, refinement through effort, or meticulous work.

FAQ