猫
Character learning workspace

māo / máo · cat

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 2.0 · Level 1HSK 3.0 · Level 1Frequency #1150
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Learn every stroke in 猫

Replay the complete order, pause on difficult movements, inspect one stroke at a time, then write it yourself with live correction.

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Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Sound changes meaning

Readings & meanings

猫 has 2 dictionary pronunciations. The examples show how each reading behaves in real words.

māo

cat (CL:隻|只[zhi1]); (dialect) to hide oneself; (loanword) (coll.) modem

大熊猫dà xióng māo · giant panda
máo

used in 貓腰|猫腰[mao2 yao1]

Step-by-step explorer

See how 猫 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

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Character anatomy

Understand the reusable parts

The decomposition shows how the visual pieces fit together, not necessarily the character’s historical origin.

Writing notes

Shape and proportion

11Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Left-rightCharacter structure

Keep the left side compact and leave enough room for the right side.

犭Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 猫 writing sheet

Get a ready-to-use A4 sheet immediately, or open the full builder to change its grid and guidance.

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Includes the stroke sequence, progressive tracing, and blank writing squares. Generated locally in your browser.

Vocabulary in context

Common words with 猫

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

māocat (CL:隻|只[zhi1]); (dialect) to hide oneself; (loanword) (coll.) modem
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 猫 sits in each complete thought.

Wǒ zài zhǎo wǒ de māo.我在找我的猫。

I am looking for my cat.

Source: Tatoeba #10649049 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ de māo huì ài shàng zhège.我的猫会爱上这个。

My cats will love this.

Source: Tatoeba #5911719 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nà shì wǒ de māo.那是我的猫。

That's my cat.

Source: Tatoeba #471765 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Zhè bú shì māo, zhè shì gǒu.这不是猫,这是狗。

This is not a cat, it is a dog.

Source: Tatoeba #4263853 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ shì yì zhī māo. wǒ hái méi yǒu míng zì.我是一只猫。我还没有名字。

I am a cat. I don't have a name yet.

Source: Tatoeba #8936655 · CC BY 2.0 FR
“ wǒ bù néng zhuā wǒ de zhǔ rén.” māo shuō.“我不能抓我的主人。”猫说。

"I cannot claw my owner", said the cat.

Source: Tatoeba #12992323 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 猫 in context

  1. Say māo / máo, then recall the core meaning: cat.
  2. Write all 11 strokes while keeping the left-right balanced.
  3. Use it in 大熊猫 (dà xióng māo), meaning “giant panda”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 猫 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.