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摸透 (mō tòu) — to have a thorough understanding of (sb's nature, thoughts, or a situation); to fathom

Definition

A verb meaning to fully grasp or figure someone or something out (their thoughts, temperament, a situation). It is separable (result complement 透): use 摸得透 / 摸不透 to affirm or deny complete understanding.

verb
to have a thorough understanding of (sb's nature, thoughts, or a situation)to fathom

Examples

  • 摸透。
    Wǒ mō tòu le tā de pí qi.
    I have thoroughly understood his temperament.
  • 。
    Zhè jiàn shì qing wǒ mō bú tòu.
    I can't figure this matter out completely.
  • 。
    Tā de xīn si wǒ mō dé tòu.
    I can thoroughly read her mind.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

摸mōfeel
透tòuthrough

摸 'feel' and 透 'through' together mean to understand something thoroughly.

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 →

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
辵辵chuòwalking
Sound part声符shēngfú
秀
秀xiù透tòu
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The shape 透 has 辵, a walking part, and 秀, which provides the sound.

Open 透 →
Appears in
Thinking & Cognition

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