He learns calligraphy by tracing the master's copybook.
Tips
mistakes
Don't confuse with its lookalikes: 摹 (to trace, hand at bottom) vs 模 (model/mold, tree at left) vs 摩 (to rub). 临摹 specifically means tracing or copying a calligraphy or painting model.
Bottom 手 is the full hand radical (written underneath rather than as the side-form 扌). It marks a hand action: tracing a model stroke by stroke with brush and hand.
