陌 (mò) - Path between fields & road

陌Tone 4

mò ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 阝

妙慕

陌 · mò

Path between fields;

road;

unfamiliar;

stranger;

used in commerce (hundred, as in 陌钱).

Path between fieldsroadunfamiliar

Usage highlights

StrangerUnfamiliarField pathsMo moneyStreetUnfamiliar road

Synonyms

  • 路— road, path
  • 径— path, trail
  • 陌生— unfamiliar, strange

Antonyms

  • 熟— familiar, acquainted
  • 识— know, recognize

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • A stranger (陌生人) approached me on the street.
  • This path is unfamiliar (陌生的小路).
  • In ancient times, a 'mo' was a path between fields (阡陌).

Collocations

  • Stranger(陌生人)
  • Unfamiliar(陌生)
  • Field paths(阡陌)
  • Mo money(陌钱 - ancient currency term)
  • Street(陌路)
  • Unfamiliar road(陌生道路)

Idioms

  • Complete strangers(素昧平生)
  • Intersecting paths(阡陌纵横)
  • Strangers on the road(陌路相逢)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to paths between fields in agricultural society, with 阡 being north-south paths and 陌 being east-west paths.
  • Extended meaning to 'stranger' or 'unfamiliar' as someone from a different path or area.
  • Used in historical commerce as a unit (hundred) in certain contexts.

FAQ