Usage note
“毛”可以用来描述动物身上的毛发，也可以指货币单位中的小数。
máo kě yǐ lái miáo shù dòng wù shēn shàng de máo fā, yě yě kě zhǐ qián bù dìng wèi jīng lún zhōng de xiǎo shù。
"毛" can be used to describe the hair on animals and also refers to a fraction of currency.
Context note
这个字常用于描述动物的外观，如“小猫的毛是白色的”，也用于货币单位，如“一毛钱”。
zhège zì cháng yòng yú miáo hu dòng wù de guān wén, rú “xiǎo māo de máo shì bái sè de”, yě yòng yú qián bù dìng, rú “yī máo qián”。
This character is commonly used to describe the appearance of animals, such as 'the cat's fur is white', and also in currency units, like 'one jiao'.
5 examples
小猫的毛是白色的。
xiǎo māo de máo shì bái sè de。
The cat's fur is white.
一毛钱可以买一个冰淇淋。
yì máo qián kě yǐ mǎi yí gè bīng qí lín。
One jiao can buy an ice cream.
小狗的毛很柔软。
xiǎo gǒu de máo hěn róu ruǎn。
The dog's fur is very soft.
这是一张一毛钱的纸币。
zhè shì yì zhāng yì máo qián de zhǐ bì。
This is a one jiao paper bill.
兔子的毛很长。
tù zi de máo hěn cháng。
The rabbit's fur is very long.
5 mini stories
小明有一只可爱的小狗，它的毛很柔软。
xiǎo míng yǒu yì zhī kě ài de xiǎo gǒu， tā de máo hěn róu ruǎn。
Xiaoming has a cute little dog. Its fur is very soft.
妈妈给了小红一毛钱买糖果，她很开心。
mā ma gěi le xiǎo hóng yì máo qián mǎi táng guǒ， tā hěn kāi xīn。
Mom gave Xiaohong one jiao to buy candy. She was very happy.
动物园里的猴子毛很浓密，看起来很聪明。
dòng wù yuán lǐ de hóu zi máo hěn nóng mì， kàn qǐ lái hěn cōng ming。
The monkeys in the zoo have very thick fur and look very smart.
小华的宠物兔毛很长，她经常给它梳理。
xiǎo huá de chǒng wù tù máo hěn cháng， tā jīng cháng gěi tā shū lǐ。
Xiaohua's pet rabbit has very long fur. She often combs it.
超市里卖的糖果包装上通常标有价格，比如一毛钱。
chāo shì lǐ mài de táng guǒ bāo zhuāng shàng tōng cháng biāo yǒu jià gé， bǐ rú yī máo qián。
Candy in the supermarket usually has prices on the packaging, such as one jiao.
Mini dialogue
小猫的毛
A
这只小猫的毛好软啊。
Zhè zhī xiǎo māo de máo hǎo ruǎn a.
This kitten's fur is so soft.
B
是啊，它的毛是白色的。
Shì a, tā de máo shì báisè de.
Yes, its fur is white.
五毛钱
A
买这个本子要多少钱？
Mǎi zhège běnzi yào duōshǎo qián?
How much does it cost to buy this notebook?
B
不贵，只要五毛钱。
Bù guì, zhǐ yào wǔ máo qián.
It's not expensive, only five mao (five jiao).
Related words and contrasts
related
头发
tóu fa
hair (on the head)
Specifically the hair on a person's head.
related
羽毛
yǔ máo
feather
The covering on a bird, similar to fur on an animal.