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March 24, 2026
钓(釣)diào(diao4)
The character 钓 (diào) means 'to fish with a hook and bait.' It is commonly used in contexts related to recreational fishing or luring someone into a trap. The term can also refer to the act of enticing or attracting, making it versatile in both literal and figurative uses.
Strokes8Radical钅Frequency#4114DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
Fishing is a popular pastime in China, and many regions hold fishing festivals that celebrate this activity. The concept of fishing is deeply embedded in Chinese culture, often symbolizing patience and the pursuit of happiness.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fisherman (钓) holding a fishing rod with a hook (钩) and bait (饵) dangling. The hook looks like the character itself, and the act of fishing often involves the sound 'diào' as the line is cast into the water. Picture the excitement of catching a fish as a way to remember this character.
Meanings of 钓
diào(diao4)
1to fish with a hook and bait
2fishhook; to fish, to lure
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 钓
钓Simplified
釣Traditional
8Strokes
钅Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4114Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5TOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 钓
Podcast: 钓
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AI Study Notes for 钓
Quick Contrast
钓 (diào) vs 捕 (bǔ) — use 钓 when specifically referring to fishing with a hook, while 捕 refers to catching or seizing in a broader sense.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a fisherman (钓) holding a fishing rod with a hook (钩) and bait (饵) dangling. The hook looks like the character itself, and the act of fishing often involves the sound 'diào' as the line is cast into the water. Picture the excitement of catching a fish as a way to remember this character.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 钓 with other fishing-related terms, such as 渔 (yú), which means 'to fish' in a broader sense. It's typically used in informal contexts when discussing fishing as a hobby. Be mindful of the tone; the first tone in diào is crucial to its meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 钓 connects well with other nature and activity-related vocabulary. Students should focus on using it in phrases about leisure activities and practice combining it with other related terms like 鱼 (yú, fish) to form sentences.
Cultural Note
Fishing is a popular pastime in China, and many regions hold fishing festivals that celebrate this activity. The concept of fishing is deeply embedded in Chinese culture, often symbolizing patience and the pursuit of happiness.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes write 钓 incorrectly by using the wrong tone, such as saying 'diao' instead of 'diào.' This can change the meaning entirely, so paying attention to the tonal pronunciation is essential.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 钓
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Grammar Patterns of 钓
钓 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 2 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.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
他朝船上照去，看见了____鱼线。
He flashed his light into the boat and saw the fishing-line.
Common Confusions with 钓
钓vs吊
diào
Same pronunciation but different meanings.
钓vs调
tiáo
Similar pronunciation, but different meanings and functions.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to fish with a hook and bait"?
or
Usage Notes for 钓
Using 钓 in Non-Fishing ContextsCommon Error
Be cautious not to use '钓' in contexts unrelated to fishing, as it is specifically tied to the act of fishing with a hook.
1
我不喜欢钓数学题。
I don't like to 'fish' for math problems.
Exercise 1 of 1
Fill in the Blank
我不喜欢____数学题。
I don't like to 'fish' for math problems.
Example Sentences for 钓 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他朝船上照去，看见了钓鱼线。
tā zhāo chuán shàng zhào qù， ， kàn jiàn le diào yú。
He flashed his light into the boat and saw the fishing-line.
2
他在鱼钩上装了点馅饼作钓饵。
tā zài yú gōu shàng zhuāng le diǎn xiàn bǐng zuò diào ěr。
He baited his hook with pie.
3
高水位有利于钓鱼。
gāo shuǐ wèi yǒu lì yú diào yú。
Fishing is good at high water.
4
不过今天是 第八十五 天,我该一整天好好钓鱼.
bù guò jīn tiān shì dì bā shí wǔ, tiān , wǒ gāi yī zhěng tiān hǎo.
But today is eighty - five days and I should fish the day well.
The fish stayed 50 yards offshore, well out of range.
6
我将每周工作两天，教残疾儿童钓鱼。
wǒ jiāng měi zhōu gōng zuò liǎng tiān， ， jiào cán jí ér tóng diào。
I'm going to work two days a week teaching handicapped kids to fish.
7
他正在放出钓索,然而越来越慢了.
tā zhèng zài fàng chū diào suǒ, , rán ér yuè lái yuè màn.
He was ceding line but more slowly all the time.
8
他感觉到有条鱼在扯钓钩。
tā gǎn jué dào yǒu tiáo yú zài chě diào gōu。
He felt a fish pull at his hook.
9
鱼咬了钓饵。
yú yǎo le diào ěr。
The fish took the bait.
10
用鱼竿钓鱼
yòng yú gān diào yú
fishing with rod and line
Cultural Notes for 钓
🏮Cultural insight
Fishing is a popular pastime in China, and many regions hold fishing festivals that celebrate this activity. The concept of fishing is deeply embedded in Chinese culture, often symbolizing patience and the pursuit of happiness.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, fishing is often seen as a sport or relaxation activity, while in China, it can also be a metaphor for strategic planning or patience in achieving goals.
Word Family of 钓
Words Containing This Character11
钓diàoto fish with a hook and bait釣
钓鱼diàoyúto dupe釣魚
钓鱼岛Diaoyu Islands釣魚島
钓鱼台Diaoyu or Senkaku Islands between Taiwan and Okinawa (administered by Japan), also known as the Pinnacle Islands釣魚臺
沽名钓誉gūmíngdiàoyùto angle for fame (idiom)沽名釣譽
钓具fishing tackle釣具
钓竿fishing rod釣竿
钓钩fishhook釣鉤
垂钓angling垂釣
放长线钓大鱼use a long line to catch a big fish (idiom); a long-term plan for major returns放長線釣大魚
钓鱼者angler釣魚者
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 钓 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 钓
You can say, '我喜欢钓鱼' (Wǒ xǐhuān diàoyú) meaning 'I like to fish.'
While primarily related to fishing, 钓 can also be used figuratively to describe luring someone into a situation.
钓 specifically refers to fishing with a hook, while 渔 is a more general term for fishing.
