Definitions

tuò (verb) to expand; to develop
tuò (verb) to push; to press with hand
(verb) to make a rubbing

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "拓" structurally integrates the hand radical "扌" with the component "石" meaning stone, a composition that directly points to its original association with the practice of creating rubbings from stone inscriptions through manual pressure. This specific technical process, which involved transferring carved text or images onto paper, defined the term's early usage, but over time its semantic range broadened to encompass more abstract notions of expansion and development. Such evolution is evident in compounds like "开拓", which shifted from implying the physical opening of terrain to metaphorically representing pioneering efforts in various fields, illustrating how the character's application adapted while its graphical form remained constant.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

印了石碑上的字。

Tā tà yìn le shíbēi shàng de zì.

He made a rubbing of the characters on the stone tablet.

我们需要展空间。

Wǒmen xūyào tuòzhǎn kōngjiān.

We need to expand our space.

新领域是挑战。

Kāituò xīn lǐngyù shì tiǎozhàn.

Opening up new fields is a challenge.

荒者们创建了家园。

Tuòhuāng zhě men chuàngjiàn le jiāyuán.

The pioneers built their homeland.

扑结构非常复杂。

Tuòpū jiégòu fēicháng fùzá.

The topological structure is very complex.

公司致力于展国际市场。

Gōngsī zhìlì yú tuòzhǎn guójì shìchǎng.

The company is committed to expanding the international market.

思维有助于解决问题。

Kāituò sīwéi yǒu zhù yú jiějué wèntí.

Broadening thinking helps to solve problems.

为了展示范区的影响,政府加大了宣传力度。

Wèile tuòzhǎn shìfàn qū de yǐngxiǎng, zhèngfǔ jiā dà le xuānchuán lìdù.

In order to expand the influence of the demonstration area, the government increased publicity efforts.