茅台
Máo tái · HSK 7
Maotai liquor 茅臺酒|茅台酒
🥃 茅 thatch-grass + 台 platform; sounds like mow-tie, China's fiery baijiu liquor
茅台 names a town in Guizhou famous for Maotai, China's premier sorghum baijiu. Link the sound mow-tie to a formal toast: the liquor poured at state banquets.
台 — mouth 口 + 厶 (private)
Originally depicted a raised platform or terrace, suggesting elevation and a place to stand. The character later extended to mean stage, podium, or station. In modern usage it also serves as the simplified form of 臺 (platform) and 颱 (typhoon), and names Taiwan (台灣).