mo1 so1摩挲
Jyutpingmo1 so1
Yalemō sō
Definition
To stroke, caress, or gently pat with the hands.
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
Literary in origin, this term is used in spoken Cantonese to describe a gentle, repetitive stroking motion, often done absentmindedly or to soothe. While it can apply to animals or people, it is also frequently used for objects like jewelry or keepsakes to express affection or nervousness. It carries a slightly more tactile and deliberate nuance than simply touching.
Examples
He likes to stroke the cat's back.
Why have you been stroking your wallet the whole time?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 摸, which is a general term for touching or feeling something. 摩挲 implies a specific, rhythmic, and usually gentle back and forth motion, whereas 摸 can simply mean making contact with a surface.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
