rub gently; stroke lightly
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to rub gently back and forth with the hands; to press lightly and move gradually
Typically used for rubbing clothes, fabric, or surfaces to clean or smooth them. The second syllable is read in the neutral tone.
Tā她
zuò坐
zài在
chuáng床
biān边
，
qīng轻
qīng轻
mā摩
sa挲
zhe着
nà那
jiàn件
jiù旧
yī衣
shang裳
。
She sat by the bed, gently rubbing that old garment.
Lǎo老
rén人
mā摩
sa挲
zhe着
guāng光
huá滑
de的
zhuō桌
miàn面
，
xiàn陷
rù入
le了
chén沉
sī思
。
The old man stroked the smooth tabletop, lost in thought.
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Tā她
bǎ把
xǐ洗
gān干
jìng净
de的
máo毛
jīn巾
mā摩
sa挲
le了
jǐ几
xià下
，
bǎ把
tā它
guà挂
le了
qǐ起
lái来
。
She rubbed the clean towel a few times and hung it up.