摸摸 (mō mō) — to touch gently, to feel (lightly), to stroke | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

摸 (mō) means a light, gentle touch — patting, stroking, or feeling something by hand. Often reduplicated as 摸摸 to soften the tone, especially with kids or pets.

verb

to touch gentlyto feel (lightly)to stroke

Examples

摸摸。
Tā qīng qīng de mō mō le wǒ de tóu.
He gently touched my head.
摸摸，。
Nǐ mō mō zhè ge bù liào, hěn ruǎn.
Touch this fabric, it's very soft.
摸摸。
Xiǎo māo xǐ huan ràng rén mō mō tā de dù zi.
The kitten likes people to touch its belly.

Origin

Reduplicated word

构词法gòucífǎ

重叠chóngdiéReduplication

A syllable said twice — for affection, for softness, or simply because that is how the word is said.

The touch 摸 is repeated to suggest a light or brief feel.

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.

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.

Appears in

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