to risk, to brave, to dare

JLPT N3 9 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Usage of

The character (mào) primarily means 'to risk' or 'to brave' something dangerous or unpleasant. It often appears in contexts where someone takes a risk or dares to do something despite potential harm or difficulty.

Common Collocations

  • + [danger/situation]: to brave or risk something (e.g., 危险 - braving danger)
  • 冒险 (màoxiǎn): to take a risk, to venture
  • 冒充 (màochōng): to impersonate or pretend to be someone else

Nuances

When using , the speaker implies a conscious decision to face danger or difficulty. It is often used in formal or written contexts but also appears in spoken language when emphasizing risk.

Common Confusion

Don't confuse with similar-sounding words like '' (trade) or '' (hat). specifically relates to risking or daring actions.

Register

The word is neutral to slightly formal and is suitable in both spoken and written Chinese, especially when discussing risks or daring acts.

Example Sentences

He braved the heavy rain to go to work.

Don't risk investing in unfamiliar projects.

He pretended to be a doctor and deceived many people.