掏 (tāo) - To take out, pull out, fish out, dig & to pick (pocket)

掏Tone 1

tāo ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

檀婷

掏 · tāo

To take out, pull out, fish out, dig out;

to pick (pocket);

to scoop.

To take out, pull out, fish out, digto pick (pocket)to scoop.

Usage highlights

Take outPick pocketDig outScoop outHeartPocket money

Synonyms

  • 挖— to dig, excavate
  • 取— to take, get
  • 拿— to take, hold

Antonyms

  • 塞— to stuff, fill
  • 装— to load, pack
  • 填— to fill, stuff

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He took out his wallet (掏出钱包).
  • She picked his pocket (掏口袋).
  • They dug out a tunnel (掏隧道).
  • I scooped out the seeds (掏种子).

Collocations

  • Take out(掏出)
  • Pick pocket(掏包)
  • Dig out(掏挖)
  • Scoop out(掏空)
  • Heart-to-heart talk(掏心掏肺)
  • Pocket money(掏腰包)

Idioms

  • Pour out one's heart(掏心掏肺)
  • Dig out one's guts(掏心窝子)
  • Pay out of one's own pocket(自掏腰包)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The hand radical (扌) indicates actions performed with the hand.
  • Often used metaphorically for emotional expression (e.g., 掏心掏肺 means being completely open and sincere).
  • In economic contexts, 掏腰包 refers to spending one's own money.

FAQ