触摸 (chù mō) — to touch | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

触摸 is a more formal verb for 'to touch' than 碰 or 摸 — it implies intentional, often gentle physical contact. Use it in writing or careful speech; 摸 is the everyday hand-feeling verb, 抚摸 adds a caressing tone.

verb

to touch

Examples

触摸，。
Qǐng xiǎo xīn chù mō, zhè ge huā píng hěn cuì ruò.
Please touch carefully; this vase is very fragile.
触摸。
Tā qīng qīng de chù mō le yí xià tā de liǎn jiá.
He gently touched her cheek.
，触摸。
Zhè zhǒng cái liào mō qǐ lái hěn róu ruǎn, dàn bù yí pín fán chù mō.
This material feels soft, but it's not suitable for frequent touching.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

触 means touch and 摸 means feel; together they mean to touch and 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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 觸; 触 is its simplified writing.

角蜀觸

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

蜀

蜀shǔ觸chù

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 觸 uses 角 for the meaning and 蜀 for the sound; the simplified 触 is a later shorthand.

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

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 Senses

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