TongTong
Sign in

穆 (mù) — respectful, solemn, dignified (bound form)

Definition

穆 is a bound form used in literary Chinese to mean 'solemn, reverent' — appearing mainly in words like 肃穆 and 静穆. It is not used as a standalone word.

bound form
respectfulsolemndignified (bound form)

Examples

  • 。
    Jiào táng lǐ qì fen shí fēn sù mù.
    The atmosphere inside the church was very solemn.
  • 穆。
    Tā de liǎn shàng dài zhe mù rán de biǎo qíng.
    His face carried a dignified expression.
  • 穆，。
    Líng yuán lǐ yí piàn jìng mù, ràng rén xīn shēng jìng yì.
    The cemetery was quiet and solemn, inspiring respect.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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
禾禾hégrain
Sound part声符shēngfú
㣎
㣎㣎穆mù
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

穆 is built from 禾, grain, with 㣎 added for its sound, giving a picture of standing grain.

Appears in
Personality & Traits

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