捣

搗
dǎo
岛 + 扌

Definitions

dǎo (verb) pound; beat
dǎo (verb) disturb; stir up trouble

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 岛 represents the sound. Simplified form of 搗.

Semantic: 扌 Phonetic: 岛

About

The traditional form of 捣 (modern simplified: 捣) is a phono-semantic compound. The left-side radical 扌 (hand) indicates a physical, manual action, while the right-side component 島 provides the phonetic cue. Its core meaning refers to the repetitive action of pounding or beating something with a heavy object, such as crushing herbs in a mortar or pounding cloth during washing. This physical act of disruption extends metaphorically to describe causing trouble, making a disturbance, or intentionally upsetting order.

Example Sentences Hide

妹妹在捣蛋。

Mèimei zài dǎodàn.

Younger sister is playing tricks.

别捣乱，我在工作。

Bié dǎoluàn, wǒ zài gōngzuò.

Don't cause trouble, I'm working.

孩子们喜欢捣蛋。

Háizimen xǐhuān dǎodàn.

Children like to play tricks.

他用锤子捣碎了核桃。

Tā yòng chuízi dǎosuìle hétao.

He crushed the walnuts with a hammer.

捣乱分子会被处罚。

Dǎoluàn fènzǐ huì bèi chǔfá.

Troublemakers will be punished.

虽然弟弟很调皮，但他不是故意捣乱。

Suīrán dìdi hěn tiáopí, dàn tā bùshì gùyì dǎoluàn.

Although younger brother is very naughty, he doesn't cause trouble on purpose.

在实验室里，我们常用研钵捣碎样品。

Zài shíyàn shì lǐ, wǒmen cháng yòng yánbō dǎosuì yàngpǐn.

In the laboratory, we often use a mortar to crush samples.

捣碎这些香料是为了让菜肴更美味。

Dǎosuì zhèxiē xiāngliào shì wèile ràng càiyáo gèng měiwèi.

Crushing these spices is to make the dish more delicious.

Related Characters

Component: 岛

把 提 打 报 接 指 据 拉 持 技 找 推 投 护

Example Words

捣乱 捣蛋 捣烂 捣碎 捣蛋鬼 捣腾 捣鼓 鼓捣 捣弄 捣毁 捣鬼 直捣黄龙