Definitions
(verb)
to drag; to tow
(verb)
to delay; to drag on
(verb)
to mop (the floor)
Etymology phono-semantic
hand
Semantic:
扌
About
The character 拖, structured with the hand radical 扌 and the component 乇, originated from earlier forms denoting the act of dragging, with 乇 functioning as a phonetic indicator. Its core meaning of pulling or hauling has remained central, but over time it has acquired additional connotations such as procrastination or extension, evident in derived terms like 拖拉 and 拖延, reflecting a semantic broadening while retaining its compositional elements.
Example Sentences Hide
妈妈在拖地板。
他经常拖延时间。
不要拖拉，快点做作业。
这辆车需要拖走。
他拖累整个团队。
她拖着沉重的行李箱。
拖延症会影响工作效率。
经济危机拖慢了发展速度。