捯 (dáo) - To pull, tug, or fiddle with something & to sort out or untangle

捯Tone 2

dáo ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

捯 · dáo

To pull, tug, or fiddle with something;

to sort out or untangle;

to work busily with one's hands.

To pull, tug, or fiddle with somethingto sort out or untangleto work busily with one's hands.

Usage highlights

Fiddle withSort out threadsPull ropeTinker with machineryBusy handsUntangle

Synonyms

  • 拉— to pull
  • 拽— to tug, drag
  • 整理— to arrange, sort out

Antonyms

  • 放— to release, let go
  • 松— to loosen

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He was fiddling with the lock (捯锁).
  • She sorted through the tangled threads (捯线).
  • The mechanic was busy tinkering with the engine (捯机器).
  • He pulled the rope taut (捯绳子).

Collocations

  • Fiddle with(捯饬)
  • Sort out threads(捯线)
  • Pull rope(捯绳子)
  • Tinker with machinery(捯机器)
  • Busy hands(捯手)
  • Untangle(捯开)

Idioms

  • Busy oneself with trivial tasks(捯饬不停)
  • Fiddle with something endlessly(没完没了地捯)
  • Sort out a messy situation(捯清楚)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Primarily used in Northern Chinese dialects, especially in colloquial speech.
  • Often implies repetitive, somewhat fussy manual activity.
  • Can carry a slightly negative connotation of wasting time on minor details.

FAQ