Definitions

cāo (verb) to operate; to manage; to control
cāo (verb) to exercise; to practice; to drill

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "操" is structured as a semantic-phonetic compound, with the hand radical (扌) indicating its early association with manual actions and the component "喿" primarily providing phonetic guidance, though this right-hand element also carries connotations of noise or activity that may have influenced its semantic development. Originally denoting the physical act of grasping, holding, or manipulating objects with the hands, its meaning progressively broadened to encompass more abstract notions of control and management, such as operating systems or conducting affairs. This semantic expansion further led to its use in contexts like military drills, physical exercise, and the description of personal behavior or moral conduct, reflecting a shift from concrete manual functions to figurative applications over the centuries, all while retaining its traditional graphical form without alteration.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他在作电脑。

Ta zai caozuo diannao.

He is operating the computer.

妈妈总是心。

Mama zongshi caoxin.

Mom always worries.

我们每天做体

Women meitian zuo ticao.

We do gymnastics every day.

孩子们在场上玩。

Haizimen zai caochang shang wan.

The children are playing on the playground.

着流利的英语。

Ta caozhe liulide yingyu.

He speaks fluent English.

这项工作需要细心作。

Zhe xiang gongzuo xuyao xixin caozuo.

This job requires careful operation.

不要为小事心太多。

Buyao wei xiaoshi caoxin tai duo.

Don't worry too much about trivial matters.

教练正在指导球员练。

Jiaolian zhengzai zhidao qiuyuan caolian.

The coach is instructing the players to drill.