How to Say
How to Write
Radical: 扌 8 strokes
Meaning: thumb
💡 Mother (母) finger, the thumb is the 'mother' of all fingers.
Compounds

📚 Character Story & Explanation

拇 (mǔ) meaning in English —

Excavated from the oracle bones, 拇 (mǔ) is composed of 扌 (hand action) and 母 (mother), suggesting the thumb as the 'mother finger'—the strongest and most essential digit. It appears in terms for thumb (大拇指) and thumb rings (扳指). In traditional Chinese medicine, the thumb is associated with the lung meridian, reflecting its role in grasping and vitality.

💬 Example Sentences

Common Compounds

Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up

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