抹 Stroke Order — How to Write 抹

Stroke Order

抹 is written in 8 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 扌, then complete the remaining strokes.

Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.

抹 Radical and Character Components

Components:扌末

抹 is a phono-semantic compound: 扌 (hand) carries the meaning, while 末 indicates the sound.

Radical: 扌 + 5 more strokes

抹 Pronunciation and Pinyin

Meanings of 抹 in Chinese

mǒ抹

To smear, spread, or apply (e.g., ointment, powder, plaster); to wipe; can also refer to using a trowel (抹子) to smooth a surface, or metaphorically to defame (抹黑) or beautify/cover up (抹粉).

泥瓦匠用抹子把墙面抹平了。

The plasterer used a trowel to smooth the wall surface.

To wipe or rub, often to clean or remove something (e.g., tears, dirt).

她轻轻地抹去眼角的泪水。

She gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

To erase, obliterate, or disregard (e.g., efforts, achievements); often used in the compound "抹煞" (mǒshā) meaning to completely negate or cancel out.

我们不能因为一个小失误就抹煞他所有的努力。

We cannot negate all his efforts just because of a small mistake.

a slight trace, a hint, a streak (of color, light, or an emotion like a smile)

她脸上露出一抹淡淡的微笑。

A faint smile appeared on her face.

mò抹

To spread on and smooth (mud or mortar) onto a surface; to plaster.

工人正在给新房抹墙。

The workers are plastering the new house.

To turn or pivot quickly, often in a tight space or to change direction.

司机一抹方向盘，车子就稳稳地转了个弯。

The driver quickly turned the steering wheel, and the car made a steady turn.

A fingering technique in playing string instruments, involving lightly pressing or tapping with a finger.

他轻抹琴弦，奏出动听的乐章

He lightly pressed the strings, playing a beautiful melody.

mā抹

To wipe or rub something, often to clean it.

他用湿布抹了抹窗户。

He wiped the window with a wet cloth.

To wipe; to erase; used in expressions like '抹不下脸来' (mā bu xià liǎn lái), meaning to be too embarrassed or proud to do something.

他抹不下脸来向朋友借钱。

He was too embarrassed to borrow money from his friend.

Common Words and Phrases with 抹

mǒ抹bí鼻zi子

to weep or cry, often with a humorous or slightly mocking tone

小孩子一摔倒就抹鼻子，眼泪汪汪的

The child starts to snivel and cry as soon as he falls, with teary eyes.

mǒ抹bó脖zi子

to cut one's own throat (to commit suicide)

他感到绝望，甚至想过抹脖子一了百了。

He felt desperate, even contemplating slitting his throat to end it all.

mā抹bù布

A piece of cloth or a rag used for wiping or cleaning surfaces, such as tables or floors.

她用湿抹布擦干净了桌子。

She wiped the table clean with a wet rag.

mò抹bù不kāi开

To feel too embarrassed or awkward to do something, especially when it involves offending someone or damaging personal relations.

她这个人就是抹不开，朋友一开口求帮忙，她就不好意思拒绝。

She finds it hard to say no; whenever a friend asks for help, she feels awkward about refusing.

mò抹bù不xià下liǎn脸

To be too embarrassed or reluctant to do something, often to avoid losing face or hurting someone's feelings.

他抹不下脸拒绝朋友的邀请，即使他那天真的很忙。

He felt too awkward to refuse his friend's invitation, even though he was really busy that day.

mǒ抹cǎi彩

Facial makeup for male roles in traditional Chinese opera, such as lao sheng, xiao sheng, and wu sheng.

舞台灯光下，演员们在开演前细致地抹彩，力求将角色的神韵通过面部妆容完美呈现。

Under the stage lights, the actors meticulously applied their facial makeup before the performance, aiming to perfectly convey the character's essence through their cosmetic adornments.