Definitions

sǎo (verb) to sweep
sào (noun) broom

Etymology

Simplified form of . Depicts using a hand () sweeping with a broom ().

About

The character '扫' originates from the traditional form '掃', a compositional structure merging the hand radical '扌' with the component '帚' meaning broom, thereby directly representing the manual act of sweeping with that tool. Structural modifications resulted in the simplified form '扫', where the broom element was condensed into the component '彐'. Semantically, while retaining its fundamental association with physical cleaning through brushing motions, the character's application has expanded to encompass figurative meanings like removing obstacles, eradicating problems, or describing rapid, comprehensive movements as in scanning, indicating a gradual extension from literal to abstract contexts.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我帮妈妈地。

Wǒ bāng māma sǎo dì.

I help mom sweep the floor.

我们一起打房间。

Wǒmen yīqǐ dǎsǎo fángjiān.

We clean the room together.

描了文件。

Tā sǎomiáo le wénjiàn.

He scanned the document.

我们周末大除。

Wǒmen zhōumò dàsǎochú.

We have a big cleanup on the weekend.

大家的兴。

Bié sǎo dàjiā de xìng.

Don't spoil everyone's fun.

士兵在雷。

Shìbīng zài sǎoléi.

The soldiers are sweeping mines.

他用新地。

Tā yòng xīn sàozhou sǎo dì.

He sweeps the floor with a new broom.

描二维码可以获取信息。

Sǎomiáo èrwéimǎ kěyǐ huòqǔ xìnxī.

Scanning the QR code can obtain information.