How to Write 募 (mù) — Meaning “to recruit; to raise (funds)”

Imagine a sign that says "莫" (don't) but you use your 力 (strength) to push it aside and recruit people anyway. So 募 means to recruit or raise funds by applying strength against a barrier.

First write the top part 莫 in 10 strokes: start with the grass radical 艹, then 日, then 大. Then add 力 below and to the left. A common mistake is making the 大 too small or placing 力 too far right.

募 has 莫 (grass + sun + big) on top and means to recruit or raise funds. 勐 has 孟 (child over a vessel) and means fierce or brave. 勒 has 革 (leather) on the left and means to rein in or force. The shapes and uses are clearly different.

募 is common in words like 募捐 (fundraising for charity) and 招募 (recruiting employees or soldiers). For example, after a disaster, organizations might 募捐 for relief. It carries a sense of actively gathering people or money.

Common words containing 募 include: 募捐 (mù juān) — to raise money; to solicit contributions; 招募 (zhāo mù) — To recruit / to enlist; 筹募 (chóu mù) — to raise (funds).