捅 (tǒng) - to poke & to stab

捅Tone 3

tǒng ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

婷婉

捅 · tǒng

to poke;

to stab;

to stir up;

to disclose;

to uncover secrets

to poketo stabto stir up

Usage highlights

poke a holestir up troublepoke with a stickexpose secretsstab woundpoke fun

Synonyms

  • 戳— to poke; to stab
  • 刺— to stab; to pierce
  • 插— to insert; to stick in

Antonyms

  • 补— to mend; to repair
  • 盖— to cover; to conceal
  • 藏— to hide; to conceal

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He poked the hole with a stick (捅窟窿).
  • The reporter exposed the scandal (捅出丑闻).
  • Don't stir up trouble (别捅娄子).
  • She stabbed the paper with a pen (用笔捅纸).

Collocations

  • poke a hole(捅窟窿)
  • stir up trouble(捅娄子)
  • poke with a stick(用棍子捅)
  • expose secrets(捅出秘密)
  • stab wound(捅伤)
  • poke fun(捅笑话)

Idioms

  • Stir up a hornet's nest(捅马蜂窝)
  • Poke through the window paper(捅破窗户纸)
  • Make a big mess(捅了大篓子)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used metaphorically for revealing hidden truths or causing trouble.
  • The action carries connotations of intrusion or disruption of stability.
  • Common in cautionary contexts about meddling in affairs.

FAQ