Kanji: 摩 (Rub/Polish)
The kanji 摩 means "to rub," "to polish," "to grind," or "to wear down by friction." It conveys the action of applying friction to a surface, either to smooth it, wear it away, or create heat.
Key Reading:
On-yomi (Sino-Japanese reading): マ (ma)
Common Words & Usage:
摩擦 (masatsu) - Noun. Friction, rubbing; conflict.
按摩 (anma) - Noun. A traditional Japanese massage.
摩耗 (mamō) - Noun/Suru-verb. Wear and tear, abrasion.
摩天楼 (matenrō) - Noun. Skyscraper (literally, "tower rubbing the sky").
Example Sentence:
Japanese: 車のブレーキパッドは摩耗しやすい部品だ。
Romaji: Kuruma no burēki paddo wa mamō shiyasui buhin da.
English: Car brake pads are parts that are prone to wear and tear.
Learning the correct stroke order for kanji like 摩 is essential for balanced, legible Japanese handwriting and is a fundamental part of mastering kanji writing.