Definitions

tiāo (verb) to pick; to choose; to select
tiǎo (verb) to stir up; to provoke; to incite
tiāo (verb) to carry on shoulders with a pole

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 挑 is a versatile verb with two pronunciations. Its left side features the hand radical 扌, indicating a physical action. The right component, 兆, originally depicted cracks on a divination turtle shell serving as an omen, but here it functions solely as a phonetic element. One meaning relates to physical acts like selecting, picking up, or carrying goods on a pole. The other encompasses metaphorical actions such as stirring up trouble, challenging someone, or deliberately provoking a reaction, all conceptually derived from the literal motion of poking or lifting.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

妈妈选新鲜的水果。

Māma tiāoxuǎn xīnxiān de shuǐguǒ.

Mom selects fresh fruits.

了一件蓝色的衬衫。

Tā tiāole yī jiàn lánsè de chènshān.

He picked a blue shirt.

不要剔别人的缺点。

Bùyào tiāotī biérén de quēdiǎn.

Don't be critical of others' shortcomings.

战了新的工作。

Tā tiǎozhànle xīn de gōngzuò.

He challenged new work.

起了两人的争吵。

Tā tiǎoqǐle liǎng rén de zhēngchǎo.

She provoked the argument between the two.

爷爷以前每天水灌溉。

Yéye yǐqián měitiān tiāoshuǐ guàngài.

Grandpa used to carry water for irrigation every day.

有人拨他们之间的关系。

Yǒu rén tiǎobō tāmen zhī jiān de guānxì.

Someone sowed discord in their relationship.

他故意逗那只小猫玩耍。

Tā gùyì tiǎodòu nà zhī xiǎo māo wánshuǎ.

He deliberately teased that little cat to play.