撈 (lāo) - To scoop up or fish for something from & to dredge

撈Tone 1

lāo ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

俊梁

撈 · lāo

To scoop up or fish for something from liquid;

to dredge;

to gain or obtain (often through unconventional means);

to make a profit.

To scoop up or fish for something fromto dredgeto gain or obtain (often through unconventional means)

Usage highlights

To fish forTo salvageTo捞取To捞出来To捞钱To捞好处

Synonyms

  • 打捞— To salvage, to dredge
  • 捕捞— To fish for, to catch
  • 获取— To obtain, to acquire

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Fishermen catch fish (渔民捞鱼).
  • He scooped the noodles from the pot (他从锅里捞面条).
  • They tried to salvage the sunken ship (他们试图打捞沉船).
  • He made a quick profit from the deal (他从那笔交易中捞了一笔).

Collocations

  • To fish for(捞鱼)
  • To salvage(打捞)
  • To捞取(捞取)
  • To捞出来(捞出来)
  • To捞钱(捞钱)
  • To捞好处(捞好处)

Idioms

  • To fish in troubled waters(浑水摸鱼)
  • To dredge the moon from the sea(海底捞月)
  • To捞一把(捞一把)
  • To捞资本(捞资本)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally associated with fishing and retrieving objects from water, reflecting practical life.
  • Metaphorically extended to describe opportunistic gain, especially in business or politics.
  • Often carries a slightly negative connotation when referring to profiteering or taking advantage.

FAQ