釣 (diào) - To fish with a hook and line & to angle

釣Tone 4

diào ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

釣 · diào

To fish with a hook and line;

to angle;

metaphorically to pursue or seek something through indirect means.

To fish with a hook and lineto anglemetaphorically to pursue or seek something through indirect

Usage highlights

FishingFishing rodFishing hookFishing lineAnglingFishing for fame

Synonyms

  • 渔— to fish (general term)
  • 垂钓— angling (more formal)

Antonyms

  • 放— to release, let go
  • 弃— to abandon, discard

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He enjoys fishing (钓鱼) on weekends.
  • The cat tried to fish (钓) the toy from under the sofa.
  • They went angling (垂钓) at the lake.
  • The politician is fishing for votes (钓取选票).

Collocations

  • Fishing(钓鱼)
  • Fishing rod(钓竿)
  • Fishing hook(钓钩)
  • Fishing line(钓线)
  • Angling(垂钓)
  • Fishing for fame(钓名)

Idioms

  • Sit on the bank and watch the fish — wait for an opportunity(坐收渔利)
  • Fish in troubled waters — take advantage of a crisis(浑水摸鱼)
  • Cast a long line to catch a big fish — have great ambitions(放长线钓大鱼)
  • The fish that escaped is the big one — missed opportunity(漏网之鱼)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Fishing has deep cultural roots in China, associated with patience, wisdom, and Daoist ideals of simplicity.
  • The character appears in classical texts and is linked to the legendary fisherman-philosopher who refused political power.
  • Metaphorically used in contexts of pursuit, temptation, and strategic waiting.

FAQ