無
简 无 · 繁 無Characters in this entry
Explore the spelling
Mandarin tones
2 · mo2
Compare attested words with these syllables ↗Dictionary tones. Connected speech can change their realization.
Connected dictionary
Sentences in context
Exact source-spelling matches. Open the reader for dictionary lookups, construction notes and related examples. Occurrence does not establish a particular dictionary sense.
Read this spelling in Classical texts
Follow a written form into the eight pinned witnesses: Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Sunzi and the Mao Shijing. A match is a place to investigate; it does not prove that a modern dictionary sense fits the passage.
Compare dictionary sources Rime · Wiktionary
Rime Cantonese 粵拼
mo4 · mou4
Cantonese word readings for 無. This lexicon supplies readings, not definitions.
CanCLID contributors · CC BY 4.0 · source & license · Data pack
Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section
Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.
character · Etymology 1
- (literary or Hakka, Min) to not have; there is not; there does not exist
- (literary or Min) Negation particle preceding verbs and adjectives. not
- (literary or Min) have not
- (literary or Hakka, Min) Interrogative particle.
- (Hakka, Min) if not; otherwise (placed at the start of a sentence)
- (Hokkien, Teochew) Particle used after a verb to indicate that a goal has not or cannot been accomplished.
- (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) regardless of; no matter whether
- (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) nothing; nil
- (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) alternative form of 毋 (wú, “do not”)
- without; -less; un-
character · Etymology 2
- only used in 南無／南无 (nāmó)
Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source & license · Data pack