毋
surname Wu; (literary) no; don't; to not have; nobody
Closest English meanings
do not·not·never
The Calligrapher — Yú Jí 虞集
Yuan official calligrapher of refined regular script.
Yuan calligrapher (), master of regular script — known for 《垂纶亭记》. Yuan dynasty
Cultural Story
毋 is a prohibition, drawn from an ancient form of 母 with a mark suggesting 'do not.' It opens commands in the classics: the 詩經 and 論語 use it like a firm 'do not.' 毋 is sterner than 勿, a direct negative order. Ritual texts employ it for vows and warnings — 毋忘, do not forget the ancestors.
Common words & phrases
- 毋庸 need not · unnecessary
- 毋宁 rather · better
- 毋须 need not
- 毋忘 do not forget
Read the story behind the character
毋 survives in formal and literary Chinese: a sign reads 毋庸 (need not) 排队, a speech says 毋寧 (rather) 诚实 than clever, a plaque urges 毋忘 (do not forget) the past. 毋須 (need not) worry is the reassurance a calm friend gives. It carries a weight 不 or 別 lack in everyday speech.
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