磨

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 把刀磨得锋利一些。▶ —
   Grind the knife a bit sharper.
2. 这件事磨光了他的耐心。▶ —
   This matter wore down his patience.

Collocations

Mnemonic

磨 is a polyphone. Read mó, it means to grind, wear down or hone (磨刀 to sharpen a knife, 磨练 to temper through hardship, 折磨 to torment). Read mò, it means a millstone (石磨 a stone mill, 磨面 to mill flour). This entry is the verb mó "to grind". It extends figuratively to honing through training (磨练) and persistently tormenting (折磨). Korean renders mó as "to grind, hone".

Related

Quick check

1. How is 磨 read and what does it mean in 磨刀?

   • mó, "to grind, hone"
   • mò, "millstone"
   • má, "numb"
   • mǎ, "horse"