(kōu) - To dig or scrape out with fingers & to be stingy or miserly

Tone 1

kōu | 7 strokes | radical: 扌

· kōu

To dig or scrape out with fingers;

to be stingy or miserly;

to delve into minutiae;

to carve or scratch patterns.

To dig or scrape out with fingersto be stingy or miserlyto delve into minutiae

Usage highlights

StingyDig outNitpickCarve patternsPick noseScrape off

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He dug out the dirt from his nails (抠指甲).
  • Don't be so stingy with money (抠门).
  • She is nitpicking over details (抠细节).
  • The artisan carved intricate patterns (抠花纹).

Collocations

  • Stingy(抠门)
  • Dig out(抠出来)
  • Nitpick(抠字眼)
  • Carve patterns(抠图案)
  • Pick nose(抠鼻子)
  • Scrape off(抠掉)

Idioms

  • Stingy as a miser(抠抠搜搜)
  • Nitpicking over words(抠字眼儿)
  • Pinch pennies(抠抠掐掐)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often carries a negative connotation when describing personality traits, implying pettiness or excessive frugality.
  • In craftsmanship, can refer to the meticulous technique of carving or engraving patterns.

FAQ