How to Write 摸 (mō) — Meaning “to touch”

Imagine you are in a dark room and cannot see anything (莫 means "do not" see), so you have to use your hand (扌) to feel around and touch objects. That action of groping in the dark is exactly what 摸 means. This visual of a hand exploring unseen things helps link the parts to the meaning.

Write the hand radical 扌 first: horizontal line, vertical hook, then a lift. The right part 莫 starts with the grass radical (艹) as two horizontal strokes, then a 日 (sun) in the middle, and finishes with a 大 at the bottom. Be careful to keep the 大 wide enough so the bottom does not look squished, and ensure the lift of 扌 does not cross into the right side.

Both 摸 and 挲 involve hand contact, but 摸 is a general touch or feel, while 挲 (suō) means to stroke or rub repeatedly, as in 摩挲 (to rub). 捧 (pěng) uses both hands to hold or lift something up respectfully, like holding a gift. Visually, 摸 has 莫 on the right, 挲 has 沙, and 捧 has 奉.

摸 is used for physically touching something, such as 触摸 screen (touch screen) or 抚摸 a pet (gently stroke). It also appears in figurative expressions like 摸索 (to grope or explore) when trying to find a way or learn something new. In daily life, you might use 摸 to say "Don't touch!" (别摸!) when warning someone not to handle an object.

Common words containing 摸 include: 触摸 (chù mō) — to touch / to feel; 摸索 (mō suǒ) — to grope or explore; 抚摸 (fǔ mō) — to stroke; to caress; to touch gently.