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摸索 (mō suǒ) — to fumble; to grope (in the dark or in an unfamiliar situation); to explore; to try to find out (a method, way, or solution)

Definition

Combines a literal 'grope by touch' sense with a figurative 'feel one's way toward a method or solution'. 探索 is more purposeful exploration with a known target; 摸索 implies trial and error without a clear path yet.

verb
to fumbleto grope (in the dark or in an unfamiliar situation)to exploreto try to find out (a method, way, or solution)

Examples

  • 摸索。
    Tā zài hēi àn zhōng màn màn dì mō suǒ qián jìn.
    He slowly groped his way forward in the dark.
  • ，摸索。
    Jīng guò duō cì cháng shì, tā men zhōng yú mō suǒ chū le yí tào yǒu xiào de guǎn lǐ fāng fǎ.
    After many attempts, they finally worked out an effective management method through exploration.
  • 摸索。
    Kē xué jiā men réng zài mō suǒ zhì liáo zhè zhǒng jí bìng de zuì jiā fāng àn.
    Scientists are still exploring the best treatment plan for this disease.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

摸mōfeel about
索suǒsearch

摸 and 索 both suggest feeling or searching, together giving the idea of groping about or exploring.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
莫
莫mò摸mō
Same sound today

摸 pairs 手 (hand) with 莫; 手 shows the meaning is about a hand action, and 莫 gives the sound.

Open 摸 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 糸糸mìthread
  • 𣎳𣎳𣎳strip fibres off a hemp stalk

索 combines 糸 (thread) and 𣎳 (stripping fibres from a hemp stalk), showing threads or rope being pulled out from a fabric.

Open 索 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Thinking & Cognition

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.