抹

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 她在面包上抹了一层黄油。▶ —
   She spread a layer of butter on the bread.
2. 他抹去了脸上的汗水。▶ —
   He wiped the sweat off his face.

Collocations

Mnemonic

抹 is a polyphone. Read mǒ, it means to spread, smear or wipe (抹油 to spread oil, 抹去 to wipe away). Read mā, it means to wipe or clear off (抹布 a rag, 抹桌子 to wipe a table). Read mò, it means to plaster (抹墙 to plaster a wall). This entry is the basic mǒ "to spread, wipe". The 扌 (hand) radical hints at the hand motion. Korean renders mǒ as "to spread, rub".

Related

Quick check

1. How is 抹 read and what does it mean in 在面包上抹黄油?

   • mǒ, "to spread"
   • mā, "to wipe clear"
   • mò, "to plaster"
   • mài, "to sell"