HSK 6, zg, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #5701, Hard
掏
tāo
to scoop
HSK 6, zg, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #5701, Hard
掏
tāo
to take out; to pull out; to clean out
HSK 6, zg, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #5701, Hard
tāo(tao1)tao T1
1to fish out (from pocket)
2to scoop
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March 24, 2026
掏tāo(tao1)
The character 掏 (tāo) means to fish out or scoop something from a specific location, often referring to pulling something out of a pocket or bag. It is commonly used in contexts where one retrieves or extracts an item, emphasizing the action of taking something out with one's hands.
Strokes11Radical扌Frequency#5701DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of retrieving something from a pocket can symbolize revealing something of value or importance, often seen in storytelling or in casual social interactions where one shares something significant.
Memory Tip
Imagine reaching into your pocket to 'tāo' (掏) out a treasure. The character has the radical 手 (shǒu), meaning 'hand,' which connects to the action of using your hands to scoop or pull something out, helping you remember its meaning.
Meanings of 掏
tāo(tao1)
1to fish out (from pocket)
2to scoop
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 掏 means.
About 掏
掏Simplified
11Strokes
扌Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#5701Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 掏
Podcast: 掏
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AI Study Notes for 掏
Quick Contrast
挖 (wā) - use 掏 (tāo) when emphasizing retrieving from a specific location, while 挖 (wā) focuses on digging or excavating.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 掏 with similar verbs like 拿 (ná, to take) or 取 (qǔ, to fetch). It is best used in informal contexts, often paired with nouns to specify what is being taken out, such as 掏钱包 (tāo qiánbāo, to fish out a wallet). Pay attention to the tone; using the incorrect tone can change the word entirely.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK level 6 word, 掏 connects well with other action verbs. Students should focus on its usage in everyday scenarios involving retrieving items, and practice with phrases that include it to enhance their fluency.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using 掏 with abstract nouns, like emotions or ideas, which is incorrect. For example, saying 掏快乐 (tāo kuàilè, to fish out happiness) is incorrect; instead, use it only with tangible objects.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 掏
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How Well Do You Know 掏?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 掏 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
掏 = 扌 + 匋. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 掏
IDS Structure⿰扌匋
掏Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
匋tao2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 掏?
How to say to fish out (from pocket) in Chinese
“to fish out (from pocket)” in Chinese is掏tāo
The character 掏 (tāo) means to fish out or scoop something from a specific location, often referring to pulling something out of a pocket or bag. It is commonly used in contexts where one retrieves or extracts an item, emphasizing the action of taking something out with one's hands.
When to use 掏
Learners often confuse 掏 with similar verbs like 拿 (ná, to take) or 取 (qǔ, to fetch). It is best used in informal contexts, often paired with nouns to specify what is being taken out, such as 掏钱包 (tāo qiánbāo, to fish out a wallet). Pay attention to the tone; using the incorrect tone can change the word entirely.
掏 or something close to it
挖 (wā) - use 掏 (tāo) when emphasizing retrieving from a specific location, while 挖 (wā) focuses on digging or excavating.
What learners get wrong
A common mistake is using 掏 with abstract nouns, like emotions or ideas, which is incorrect. For example, saying 掏快乐 (tāo kuàilè, to fish out happiness) is incorrect; instead, use it only with tangible objects.
Write 掏
掏
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Practice writing 掏 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 掏
掏 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
