Chinese word

冒

Pronunciation

Pinyinmào

Meaning

  • verbrisk

Example

他愿意为孩子冒险。tā yuàn yì wèi hái zi mào xiǎn

He is willing to take risks for his child.

Illustration for 冒 (risk)

More examples

他不想为小事冒生命危险。tā bù xiǎng wèi xiǎo shì mào shēng mìng wēi xiǎn

He doesn't want to risk his life over trivial matters.

Core concept

Putting a person or oneself outside protection, where harm may occur.

Common phrases

  • 冒生命危险mào shēng mìng wēi xiǎn

    risk one's life

  • 冒险mào xiǎn

    take risks

Similar words

冒险mào xiǎn: To deliberately take action despite a possible danger or loss.
冒犯mào fàn: To offend someone through words or actions, causing hurt or disrespect.

Definition in Chinese

使自己或他人暴露于危险或不利的处境，表示承担风险或使其遭受损害，常见于冒险、冒犯等复合词。shǐ zì jǐ huò tā rén bào lù yú wēi xiǎn huò bú lì de chǔ jìng biǎo shì chéng dān fēng xiǎn huò shǐ qí zāo shòu sǔn hài cháng jiàn yú mào xiǎn mào fàn děng fù hé cí

Word origin

The older form of 冒 (mào, "to risk") places 目 (mù, "eye") beneath a cover, evoking an eye or head emerging into the open and leading to the sense of exposure to danger.

Usage tips

  • The surrounding subject and object show who bears the danger, so the same word can describe accepting danger oneself or causing another person to face it.

Opposites

  • 规避guī bìavoidverb
  • 退避tuì bìretreatverb

Related words

Word lists with this word