Meaning
The kanji 毛 primarily signifies 'hair', 'fur', or 'wool'. Its core meaning refers to various filamentous growths found on both animals and humans. This includes soft downy hair on a baby, the thick fur of an animal, and even plant fuzz or fibers used in textiles. As a pictograph, this character visually represents its meaning through its form.
The original ancient script depicted several strands of hair flowing downwards, giving a clear impression of hair or fur. Over centuries, the strokes became more stylized, yet the essence of multiple individual strands grouped together remains, conveying the softness and texture associated with hair.
Its visual shape, with its four strokes, evokes the image of a bundle of fine fibers. The central vertical stroke acts as a backbone, from which other strokes branch out, suggesting the way hair or fur grows and flows. This fundamental character helps describe living beings and natural textures. Taught early in Japanese education as a Grade 2 kanji, its basic and frequent use in everyday vocabulary is evident. This kanji consists of 4 strokes and serves as a radical itself (radical 82). When appearing on the left side of other kanji (as a へん), it often indicates a connection to hair or fur.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi reading for 毛 is モウ. This reading, derived from ancient Chinese pronunciation, typically appears in compound words. It's often found in more formal or technical contexts, or when discussing types of hair, fur, or wool broadly. Distinguishing when to use モウ versus the kun'yomi け is crucial for understanding this kanji's nuances.
- 羊毛 (yōmō) — wool (literally 'sheep hair'). This compound is a common term for the natural fiber obtained from sheep, used extensively in textiles.
- 脱毛 (datsumō) — depilation, hair removal. This word combines 毛 with 脱 (to shed, remove) to describe the process of hair removal.
- 毛布 (mōfu) — blanket. This common household item is often made of wool or other fibrous materials, hence 毛 in its name.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The primary kun'yomi reading for 毛 is け. As the native Japanese reading, け is used when the kanji stands alone, typically referring to hair, fur, or feathers in everyday, natural contexts. It's also frequently found in descriptive adjectives or simpler, everyday compounds.
- 毛 (ke) — hair, fur, down, bristles. This is the most direct and common usage, referring to the hair on one's head, body, or an animal's fur.
- 毛深い (kebukai) — hairy, bushy (describing a person or animal with a lot of hair). Here, 毛 combines with 深い (deep) to form "deep with hair."
- 鳥の毛 (tori no ke) — bird's feathers (literally 'bird's hair'). While 羽 is specific for 'feather', 鳥の毛 is also understood and used, especially in more casual speech.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 毛 appears in many words, showcasing its versatile meaning. Here are some common compounds, grouped by theme, to illustrate its various applications:
Human & Animal Hair/Features
- 毛髪 (mōhatsu) — human hair (a more formal or medical term than just 髪)
- 眉毛 (mayuge) — eyebrow
- 産毛 (ubuge) — downy hair, soft baby hair, peach fuzz
- 体毛 (taimō) — body hair
- 剛毛 (gōmō) — stiff hair, bristles
- 羽毛 (umō) — feathers, down (especially for birds or bedding)
- 獣毛 (jūmō) — animal hair, bristles (general term for animal fur)
Materials & Textiles
- 毛糸 (keito) — knitting yarn, wool yarn
- 毛織物 (keorimono) — woolen fabric
- 純毛 (junmō) — pure wool
- 綿毛 (watage) — fluff, down (like dandelion fluff)
Actions & States
- 増毛 (zōmō) — hair regrowth, hair increase
- 縮毛 (shukumō) — kinky hair, curly hair
Example Sentences
猫の毛はとても柔らかい。
Neko no ke wa totemo yawarakai.
Cat's fur is very soft.
このセーターは羊毛でできています。
Kono sētā wa yōmō de dekiteimasu.
This sweater is made of wool.
毎朝、顔の産毛を剃ります。
Maiasa, kao no ubuge o sorimasu.
I shave the peach fuzz on my face every morning.
冬には毛布が欠かせない。
Fuyu ni wa mōfu ga kakasenai.
A blanket is indispensable in winter.
あの人は体毛が濃い。
Ano hito wa taimō ga koi.
That person has thick body hair.
編み物のために毛糸を買いました。
Amimono no tame ni keito o kaimashita.
I bought yarn for knitting.
この鳥の羽毛はとても美しい。
Kono tori no umō wa totemo utsukushii.
This bird's feathers are very beautiful.
夏になる前に脱毛サロンへ行きました。
Natsu ni naru mae ni datsumō saron e ikimashita.
I went to a hair removal salon before summer.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 毛, visualize its strokes as strands of hair. Imagine the central vertical stroke as the main part of a tuft of hair, and the surrounding three smaller strokes as individual, wispy strands flowing outwards. It looks like a small brush or a tuft of hair being gently blown by the wind. Consider these four strokes as collectively depicting the softness and slight disarray of hair or fur. As a pictograph, its shape directly relates to its meaning, making it one of the easier characters to recall once you connect it to its visual origin.