mo2摸
Jyutpingmo2
Yalemó
Definition
To touch or feel gently with one's hand.
colloquialdaily actionsbody
How it's used
Focuses on the tactile sensation of using fingers or palms to explore a surface or check a temperature. It implies a deliberate, often gentle, physical contact rather than a quick accidental brush. When used for checking temperature, it is the standard verb for feeling a forehead or a hot object.
Examples
Can you feel my forehead to see if I have a fever?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it in contexts where you mean to 'bump into' or 'hit' something, as it strictly refers to tactile exploration. Do not confuse it with 掂, which is a more general term for making contact with something, often accidentally or briefly.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
