Definitions

cuō (verb) to pick up with fingertips; to scoop up
cuō (verb) to gather; to collect together
zuǒ (classifier) classifier for hair or grass: tuft

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "撮" combines the hand radical (扌) with the phonetic component "最", structurally denoting actions performed with the hand. Its original sense referred to gathering or pinching small amounts between the fingers, a concrete manual action. Over time, this meaning extended to abstract concepts such as summarizing or condensing, evident in compounds like "撮要". The character also came to function as a unit of measure for a pinch or minimal quantity. In modern usage, it further adapted to technical contexts, notably in "撮影" for photography, reflecting a shift from physical collection to the capture of visual representations.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Xin dynasty (9-23 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是一小茶叶。

Zhè shì yī xiǎo cuō chá yè.

This is a small handful of tea leaves.

他们合了一对情侣。

Tāmen cuōhé le yī duì qínglǚ.

They mediated a match for a couple.

要地介绍了计划。

Tā cuōyào de jièshào le jìhuà.

He briefly introduced the plan.

起一些沙子。

Wǒ cuō qǐ yīxiē shāzi.

I gathered up some sand.

不要弄那个小孩。

Bùyào cuōnòng nàgè xiǎo hái.

Don't tease that child.

她用手了一面粉。

Tā yòng shǒu cuō le yī cuō miànfěn.

She used her hand to take a pinch of flour.

这一人经常聚会。

Zhè yī cuō rén jīngcháng jùhuì.

This small group of people often gather.

他负责要报告的内容。

Tā fùzé cuōyào bàogào de nèiróng.

He is responsible for summarizing the content of the report.