Ways to say it
| Mandarin | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 接觸 / 接触 | jiēchù |
| 觸摸 / 触摸 | chùmō |
| 摸 | mō |
| 觸 / 触 | chù |
The core meaning of these terms is to make physical contact with something. While 摸 is the most frequent way to describe using one's hands or fingers to pet or stroke something, other forms can describe more formal or abstract contact.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the nature of the contact. 摸 is the most common way to express touching something with hands or fingers, often implying a petting or stroking motion. In contrast, 触摸 is a more formal or literary version of 摸 used in technical or descriptive contexts regarding the sense of touch. Finally, 接触 is used to express the idea of 'coming into contact with' something. It is a formal term that can refer to physical contact between objects or even abstract contact between people or ideas.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that the action of touching has been completed, you can add the particle 了 after 摸 to form 摸了. Additionally, adding 一下 after 摸 makes the action or request sound more casual and brief, similar to saying 'give it a touch' in English.
How do you pronounce it?
mō
Did you know?
- The original character 觸 contains the radical for 'horn' 角, suggesting the word's earliest meaning related to animals touching or butting with their horns.
- In some contexts, 摸 is used in the phrase 摸底 to mean 'testing the waters' or secretly finding out the truth about a situation.
- Using 摸 to describe touching a person can be highly sensitive or inappropriate depending on the relationship, as it often implies an intimate or overly familiar gesture.
Examples in context
- 来吧，摸一下。Come on, touch it.This sentence is useful for inviting someone to give something a brief touch using 摸.Tatoeba #3662927 by yss123231, translation #3549700 by CK
- 摸這條蛇安全嗎?Is this snake safe to touch?This sentence is useful for asking about the safety of touching a snake using 摸.Tatoeba #786139 by Martha, translation #58694 by CK
- 谁也不要摸这个。I don't want anyone to touch this.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to prevent anyone from touching something using 摸.Tatoeba #2318398 by User5120, translation #1887276 by CK
- 请小心触摸玻璃。Please be careful touching the glass.
- 你能摸到我的手吗?Can you touch my hand?
- 不要碰到那个热杯子。Don't touch that hot cup.
- 我不小心触碰到了热锅。I accidentally touched the hot pot.
- 请不要随便触摸展览品。Please do not touch the exhibits casually.
- 他把我的手碰了一下。He touched my hand for a moment.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a pet shop, a woman is looking at a kitten.
- 伟 Wei这只小猫很可爱。Zhè zhī xiǎomāo hěn kě'ài.This kitten is very cute.
- 欣怡 Xinyi我可以摸摸它吗？Wǒ kěyǐ mōmō tā ma?Can I touch it?
- 伟 Wei可以，它很喜欢被人摸。Kěyǐ, tā hěn xǐhuān bèi rén mō.Yes, it likes being touched by people.
- 欣怡 Xinyi它的毛摸起来很软。Tā de máo mō qǐlái hěn ruǎn.Its fur feels very soft to the touch.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “touch” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 摸, 觸, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
