Definitions

chāo (verb) to copy; to make a copy
chāo (verb) to plagiarize
chāo (verb) to search and seize; to raid
chāo (verb) to take a shortcut

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "抄" combines the hand radical on the left, signaling actions involving the hand, with the component "少" on the right, which primarily functions as a phonetic element while subtly implying notions of slightness or brevity. Its early meanings centered on physical manipulations by the hand, such as grasping, lifting, or swiftly collecting substances, akin to scooping. From these concrete actions, the term gradually expanded to denote the manual transcription of texts, reflecting the motion of writing and duplicating documents, which in turn led to the abstract sense of reproducing or plagiarizing written material. Concurrently, the character developed meanings associated with rapid, direct maneuvers, as seen in military contexts where it describes launching a surprise attack or taking a shortcut, thereby maintaining its core association with swift, manual intervention across both literal and figurative applications.

Example Sentences Hide

他在写课文。

Tā zài chāoxiě kèwén.

He is copying the text.

我每天写生词。

Wǒ měitiān chāoxiě shēngcí.

I copy new words every day.

袭别人的作业不对。

Chāoxí biérén de zuòyè bù duì.

Copying others' homework is not right.

送这份文件给我。

Qǐng chāosòng zhè fèn wénjiàn gěi wǒ.

Please send a copy of this document to me.

录了重要的信息。

Tā chāolùle zhòngyào de xìnxī.

She transcribed the important information.

古代犯罪可能会被家。

Gǔdài fànzuì kěnéng huì bèi chāojiā.

In ancient times, criminals might have their property confiscated.

我们近路去学校吧。

Wǒmen chāo jìnlù qù xuéxiào ba.

Let's take a shortcut to school.

他因袭论文被学校开除。

Tā yīn chāoxí lùnwén bèi xuéxiào kāichú.

He was expelled from school for plagiarizing a thesis.