‘按摩’ (àn mó) is a compound noun and verb meaning ‘massage’ — the therapeutic manipulation of muscles and soft tissues to relieve tension, improve circulation, or promote relaxation. The first character 按 (àn) means ‘to press’ or ‘to apply pressure’, while the second character 摩 (mó) means ‘to rub’ or ‘to stroke’. Together, they vividly convey the core physical actions involved in massage: pressing and rubbing. This term is widely used in both everyday conversation and professional healthcare contexts.

It commonly appears in settings like traditional Chinese medicine clinics, spas, physical therapy sessions, or even casual self-care routines. While ‘按摩’ can refer to any type of manual bodywork — including Western-style or TCM-based techniques — it’s especially associated with techniques rooted in Chinese tradition, such as acupressure-informed massage. It may be used as a noun (e.g., 做按摩 ‘get a massage’) or as a verb (e.g., 按摩肩膀 ‘massage the shoulders’).