凿 (záo) - To chisel & to bore

凿Tone 2

záo ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

悦丈

凿 · záo

To chisel;

to bore;

to dig;

to carve;

certain;

authentic;

irrefutable.

To chiselto boreto dig

Usage highlights

To chisel a holeTo bore a wellChisel and hammerIrrefutable evidenceTo open a channelTo carve stone

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He used a chisel to carve wood (凿木头).
  • They drilled a well (凿井) for water.
  • This is irrefutable evidence (凿凿的证据).
  • The tunnel was bored through the mountain (凿山开隧道).

Collocations

  • To chisel a hole(凿孔)
  • To bore a well(凿井)
  • Chisel and hammer(凿子和锤子)
  • Irrefutable evidence(证据确凿)
  • To open a channel(开凿渠道)
  • To carve stone(凿石)

Idioms

  • To bore a wall to steal light(凿壁偷光)
  • Square peg in a round hole(方枘圆凿)
  • To attach a meaning forcibly(穿凿附会)
  • Words supported by irrefutable evidence(言之凿凿)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • 凿壁偷光典故: Story of Kuang Heng who bored a hole in his wall to use his neighbor's light for studying, symbolizing diligence in learning.
  • 方枘圆凿比喻: Metaphor for incompatibility, like a square tenon in a round mortise.
  • Historically associated with manual craftsmanship and construction work.

FAQ