挑 (tiāo) - To carry on a shoulder pole & to choose
挑 · tiāo
To carry on a shoulder pole;
to choose;
to pick;
to provoke;
to stir up;
to challenge.
To carry on a shoulder poleto chooseto pick
Usage highlights
To carry on a shoulder poleTo choose and selectTo provoke troubleTo pick faultTo shoulder responsibilityTo challenge
Usage & contexts
Examples
- He carries water with a shoulder pole (挑水).
- Please choose the best one (挑最好的).
- She likes to pick fault (挑毛病).
- Don't provoke a fight (别挑事).
Collocations
- To carry on a shoulder pole(挑担)
- To choose and select(挑选)
- To provoke trouble(挑衅)
- To pick fault(挑剔)
- To shoulder responsibility(挑担子)
- To challenge(挑战)
Idioms
- To pick the fat and choose the lean(挑肥拣瘦)
- To pick faults and find flaws(挑毛拣刺)
- To stir up trouble and provoke discord(挑拨离间)
- Light as a feather, easy to carry(轻挑细担)
Cultural background
FAQ- Originally depicted carrying objects with a shoulder pole, reflecting traditional manual labor.
- The character embodies both physical labor (carrying) and mental selection (choosing).
- In modern context, often used in competitive situations like 'challenge' (挑战).