摹 (mó) · to trace; to copy (a model exactly)

Meanings

1 to trace; to copy (a model exactly)
2 to imitate; to model after

Characters

摹

mó

to trace; to copy a model

Examples

HSK 7-9

他通过临摹字帖来学书法。

Tā tōngguò línmó zìtiè lái xué shūfǎ.

He learns calligraphy by tracing the master's copybook.

HSK 7-9

这幅画是对名作的摹本。

Zhè fú huà shì duì míngzuò de móběn.

This painting is an exact copy of a famous original.

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.

Components

radical

手 shǒu

hand

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.

phonetic

莫 mò

do not; none

Top 莫 supplies the sound (mò → mó). It is a frequent phonetic in the mó/mù family - compare 模 model, 膜 membrane, 幕 curtain.