How to Write 茅 (máo) — Meaning “Thatch / Reeds”

Imagine a thatched roof made of grass (艹) that is so sharp it looks like a spear (矛) pointing upward. This image combines both parts: the grass on top for the thatch and the spear shape below for the sound. You can also think of 'grass spear' as a simple mnemonic for this character.

When writing 茅, first draw the grass radical 艹 as three strokes: horizontal, then vertical on each side. Then write the bottom part 矛 with the 4th stroke starting from the top left and curving down; make sure the hook at the end is small. A common mistake is to make the bottom part too wide or to misplace the left-falling stroke, so keep the center aligned.

茅 (máo) has a spear (矛) below the grass radical, while 兹 (zī) has two 幺 (silk) below and means 'this' or 'now'. 艻 (lè) has 力 (strength) below and is a rare character for a type of grass. The key visual difference is what sits under the grass top: 矛, 幺幺, or 力.

茅 appears in common words like 茅草 (thatch grass), 茅屋 (thatched cottage), and 茅台 (Maotai liquor). Maotai is a famous Chinese liquor named after the town Maotai in Guizhou province, and it is often served at state banquets. Thatched cottages (茅屋) also appear in classical poetry, symbolizing a simple rural life.

Common words containing 茅 include: 茅草 (máo cǎo) — Thatch grass; 茅屋 (máo wū) — Thatched cottage; 茅台 (máo tái) — Maotai (famous Chinese liquor).