锚 (máo) - Anchor — a heavy object, typically metal, used & metaphorically, something that provides stability or security.

锚Tone 2

máo ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

伦妙

锚 · máo

Anchor — a heavy object, typically metal, used to moor a vessel to the sea bottom;

metaphorically, something that provides stability or security.

Anchor — a heavy object, typically metal, usedmetaphorically, something that provides stability or security.

Usage highlights

Cast anchorAnchor pointAnchor boltNews anchorGround anchorAnchor chain

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The ship dropped its anchor (抛锚).
  • This data serves as an anchor point (锚点).
  • Anchor bolts are used in construction (锚栓).
  • The news anchor reported the story (新闻主播).

Collocations

  • Cast anchor(抛锚)
  • Anchor point(锚点)
  • Anchor bolt(锚栓)
  • News anchor(新闻主播)
  • Ground anchor(地锚)
  • Anchor chain(锚链)

Idioms

  • Cast anchor and stop sailing(抛锚停航)
  • Settle down and establish oneself(安营扎寨, metaphorically similar to anchoring)
  • Secure as Mount Tai(稳如泰山, conceptually similar to anchor's stability)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character 锚 combines the metal radical 钅 with 苗 (miáo), indicating its function and phonetic component.
  • In maritime culture, anchors symbolize safety, stability, and hope for safe return.
  • Metaphorically used in finance and psychology to represent reference points or stabilizing factors.

FAQ