Meaning of 摩擦
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- friction
- rubbing
- chafing
- fig. disharmony
- conflict
- also written 磨擦
How to use 摩擦
摩擦 is used literally for physical rubbing or friction, and figuratively for minor clashes between people, groups, or countries. As a noun it often appears with 发生 (fāshēng) or 产生 (chǎnshēng). Example: 他们俩最近有点儿摩擦。(Tāmen liǎ zuìjìn yǒudiǎnr mócā.) The two of them have had some friction lately.
Both characters have a hand inside: 摩 (mó) has 手 at the bottom, and 擦 (cā) has the hand radical 扌 on the left. Two hands rubbing against each other make friction, and people rubbing each other the wrong way make conflict.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 摩 (mó) with 磨 (mó, to grind), which has 石 at the bottom instead of 手. The variant 磨擦 exists, but 摩擦 is the standard form. Also, 擦 alone means to wipe, as in 擦桌子 (cā zhuōzi), so do not use 摩擦 when you just mean cleaning something.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
摩 mó · to scour · 15 strokes
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擦 cā · to rub · 17 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 摩擦.
| 按摩 | ànmó | massage; to massage |
| 摩托 | mótuō | (loanword) motor; (loanword) motorbike; motorcycle (abbr. for 摩托車|摩托车[mo2 tuo1 che1]) |
| 揣摩 | chuǎimó | to analyze; to try to figure out |
| 观摩 | guānmó | to observe and emulate; to study (esp. following sb's example) |
| 摩托车 | mótuōchē | (loanword) motorbike; motorcycle |
| 摩尔 | Mó'ěr | mole (chemistry) |
| 擦掉 | cādiào | to wipe |
| 擦伤 | cāshāng | to abrade; to scrape; to chafe; to graze; abrasion; friction burn; scratch |
| 擦屁股 | cāpìgu | to wipe one’s ass; (fig.) (coll.) to clean up sb else's mess |
| 擦干 | cāgān | to wipe dry |
| 按摩师 | ànmóshī | masseur; massage therapist |
| 摩天大楼 | mótiāndàlóu | skyscraper |
Questions about 摩擦
What does 摩擦 mean?
摩擦 (mócā) means "friction; rubbing" and is used as a verb and noun.
How do you write 摩擦?
摩擦 is made of 2 characters: 摩 (15 strokes), 擦 (17 strokes). That is 32 strokes in total.
Is 摩擦 an HSK word?
Yes. 摩擦 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
Is 摩擦 a serious word for conflict?
No, it usually means small disagreements or tension, not open fighting. For serious conflict, words like 冲突 (chōngtū) are more common.
How do you say friction force in physics?
It is 摩擦力 (mócālì). You will see it in science textbooks, for example 摩擦力很大 (mócālì hěn dà), the friction is strong.