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

Composed of the hand radical (扌) and the component "少", the character "抄" initially conveyed meanings related to manual handling, such as taking or lifting with the hand. Its etymology points to early uses involving physical action, from which the sense of copying text later developed, aligning with the hand's role in transcription. Subsequent semantic extensions included the act of searching or seizing, as in confiscating property, and eventually, the concept of plagiarism, while its structural form has remained consistent.

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.