HSK 3 多音字 · Polyphone

脉: mai (pulse) vs mo (affectionate gaze)

Readings 读音

mai pulse; vein
mo affectionate gaze (脉脉) 脉脉 · 含情脉脉

How it works 讲解

脉 reads mai in words like — "pulse"; 脉 reads mo in words like 脉脉, 含情脉脉 — "affectionate gaze". The surrounding word tells you which reading to use — learn the trigger words, not the character alone.

Examples 例句

盈Yíng盈yíng一yī水shuǐ间jiān，脉脉mòmò不得bùdé语yǔ。

Though separated by only a stream, we can't express our feelings.