摩擦

mócā

noun/verb HSK 5 #8,707

Meanings

Rubbing and wiping — physical friction or interpersonal conflict.

两国之间产生了摩擦。

Liǎng guó zhījiān chǎnshēng le mócā.

Friction arose between the two countries.

摩擦会产生热量。

Mócā huì chǎnshēng rèliàng.

Friction generates heat.

同事之间难免有些摩擦。

Tóngshì zhījiān nánmiǎn yǒuxiē mócā.

It's inevitable to have some friction between colleagues.

usage

摩擦 works for both physics (friction force = 摩擦力) and interpersonal conflict. 贸易摩擦 (màoyì mócā) = trade friction, a common news term.

摩 mó

擦 cā