Meanings of 托
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About 托
Podcast: 托
Podcast: 托
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AI Study Notes for 托
托 (tuō) vs 支 (zhī) — use 托 when emphasizing support or reliance, while 支 focuses on the act of supporting or holding something up.
Imagine a strong hand (the character 托 resembles a hand holding something) cradling a heavy object, like a large book. This image connects the idea of support and trust, as you would trust that hand to hold the book safely. The pronunciation 'tuō' sounds like 'toss,' which can remind you of tossing something into your hands for support.
Learners often confuse 托 with similar verbs like 支 (zhī, to support) and 依 (yī, to depend on). 托 is more about physical support or trust in relationships. It’s generally used in both formal and informal contexts, so be mindful of the situation when choosing this verb.
Although 托 is not included in the official HSK levels, understanding it can help learners grasp related verbs of support and trust at HSK levels 3 and 4. Focus on its usage in conjunction with other verbs to build nuanced sentences.
托 is often used in the context of Chinese business culture, where trust and reliance on partners or stakeholders are critical. For example, the phrase 托付 (tuōfù) means to entrust someone with a responsibility, reflecting the importance of building relationships.
Learners often misuse 托 in contexts where a different verb would be more appropriate, such as using 托 instead of 支 (zhī) for non-physical support. For example, saying '我需要托这个项目' (I need to support this project) should be corrected to '我需要支撑这个项目'.
Pronunciation of 托
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Etymology of 托
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 乇 represents the sound.
Using one's hands 扌 for support 乇; 乇 also provides the pronunciation
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 托?
Decomposition of 托
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Write 托
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Practice writing 托 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 托
托 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 16 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
惠特比镇因为布拉姆·斯____克著名的吸血鬼故事而名传后世。
The town of whitby was immortalised in Bram Stoker's famous Dracula story.
Common Confusions with 托
Same pronunciation but different meanings and usages.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "prop"?
Example Sentences for 托 (10)
Cultural Notes for 托
托 is often used in the context of Chinese business culture, where trust and reliance on partners or stakeholders are critical. For example, the phrase 托付 (tuōfù) means to entrust someone with a responsibility, reflecting the importance of building relationships.
Word Family of 托
Compound Meaning
What does 拜托 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 托
In everyday conversation, 托 (tuō) can be used to express various types of support. For instance, you might hear someone say '我托付给你' (Wǒ tuōfù gěi nǐ), meaning 'I entrust this to you.' It can also describe physical support, such as '他用手托住了球' (Tā yòng shǒu tuō zhùle qiú), which means 'He held the ball in his hand.'