毛衣

• Pinyin: máo yī
• Hanzi breakdown: 毛 = pictograph of hair/fur — wool; 衣 = pictograph of a garment with sleeves — clothing

Meaning

Sweater; knitted wool garment. A warm upper-body garment made of wool or similar yarn.

Refers specifically to knitted garments, typically made from wool (毛线). Includes pullover sweaters and cardigans (开衫毛衣). 织毛衣 (to knit a sweater) was traditionally a common skill. Distinguished from 卫衣 (sweatshirt/hoodie) which is not knitted.

Examples

1. 天气冷了，你应该穿一件毛衣。 The weather is getting cold — you should wear a sweater.
2. 奶奶给我织了一件漂亮的毛衣。 Grandma knitted a beautiful sweater for me.
3. 这件毛衣是纯羊毛的，很暖和。 This sweater is made of pure wool and is very warm.

Usage Guide

Context: clothing, everyday, weather

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你穿这件红色毛衣很好看。(You look great in this red sweater.)
• 把毛衣脱了吧，屋里很热。(Take off your sweater — it's very warm inside.)

Don't Say

• 我穿毛衣去游泳 — 毛衣 is heavy knitwear for keeping warm; you would never wear it in water or in hot weather

Origin & History

毛 means 'hair' or 'wool' and 衣 means 'clothing.' A sweater is literally wool clothing.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal