Meanings of 韬
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About 韬
Podcast: 韬
Podcast: 韬
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AI Study Notes for 韬
刀鞘 (dāoqiào, sword sheath) — use 韬 (tāo) when emphasizing concealment or strategy, while 刀鞘 refers specifically to a sheath for swords.
While 韬 is more literary and may not frequently appear in everyday conversation, it can be used in formal contexts, particularly in discussions about military strategy. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words; pay attention to the fourth tone to ensure clarity.
Though 韬 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to other characters related to strategy and concealment, such as 隐 (yǐn, to hide) and 战 (zhàn, battle). Focus on the context in which this character is used to enhance your understanding of strategic language in Chinese.
Learners often confuse 韬 with 隐 (yǐn), which also means to hide but has a broader application. For example, saying '他韬了我的秘密' (He hid my secret) is incorrect; it should be '他隐瞒了我的秘密' (He concealed my secret).
Pronunciation of 韬
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Etymology of 韬
leather
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 韬
- 1The meaning half韦 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half舀 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayleather
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 韬? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 韬?
Decomposition of 韬
Identify the Components
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How to say sheath, scabbard, bow case in Chinese
“sheath, scabbard, bow case” in Chinese is韬
The character 韬 (tāo) primarily refers to a sheath or scabbard, used for concealing weapons like swords. It also conveys the idea of hiding or safeguarding something, often in a military context, indicating strategies for concealment and protection in warfare.
When to use 韬
While 韬 is more literary and may not frequently appear in everyday conversation, it can be used in formal contexts, particularly in discussions about military strategy. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words; pay attention to the fourth tone to ensure clarity.
韬 or something close to it
刀鞘 (dāoqiào, sword sheath) — use 韬 (tāo) when emphasizing concealment or strategy, while 刀鞘 refers specifically to a sheath for swords.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 韬 with 隐 (yǐn), which also means to hide but has a broader application. For example, saying '他韬了我的秘密' (He hid my secret) is incorrect; it should be '他隐瞒了我的秘密' (He concealed my secret).
Write 韬
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Practice writing 韬 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 韬
韬 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 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
“ 可是她和 赵伯____ 带点儿亲? 嗳,我是说你那个女朋友,姓刘的. ”
" But this friend of yours is related to Chao Po - tao , isn't she? "
Example Sentences for 韬 (4)
Word Family of 韬
Compound Meaning
What does 韬 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 韬
You can use 韬 to describe a military strategy, for example: '他使用了韬光养晦的策略' (He used a strategy of hiding his light and biding his time).
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