掊 (póu) - to dig up & to scoop

掊Tone 2

póu ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

柠七

掊 · póu

to dig up;

to scoop;

to criticize;

to reduce;

to diminish;

to overthrow

to dig upto scoopto criticize

Usage highlights

to dig up earthto scoop outto criticize and attackto reduce expensesto overthrow authorityto excavate

Synonyms

  • 挖— to dig
  • 掘— to excavate
  • 减— to reduce
  • 批— to criticize

Antonyms

  • 填— to fill
  • 增— to increase
  • 建— to build
  • 赞— to praise

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • They dug up the buried treasure (掊土).
  • The company reduced expenses (掊减开支).
  • He criticized the government's policy (掊击政策).
  • Archaeologists excavated the ancient tomb (掊掘古墓).

Collocations

  • to dig up earth(掊土)
  • to scoop out(掊出)
  • to criticize and attack(掊击)
  • to reduce expenses(掊减)
  • to overthrow authority(掊倒)
  • to excavate(掊掘)

Idioms

  • To dig up roots and expose the foundation(掊根露底)
  • To scoop up water with both hands(掊水而饮)
  • To overthrow and destroy completely(掊毁殆尽)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted the action of digging or scooping with hands.
  • Extended meaning of criticism comes from the idea of 'digging up' faults or weaknesses.
  • Used in classical texts to describe reduction or diminishment of resources or status.

FAQ