捣

搗

dǎo

岛 + 扌

Definitions

dǎo (verb) pound; beat

dǎo (verb) disturb; stir up trouble

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 岛 represents the sound. Simplified form of 搗.

Semantic: 扌 Phonetic: 岛

About

捣 is the simplified form of 搗, a phonosemantic compound. The left-side hand radical 扌 indicates a physical, manual action, and the right-side component 岛 (simplified from 島) provides the sound. Its fundamental meaning is the repetitive physical action of pounding, smashing, or beating something with a heavy implement, such as crushing medicinal herbs in a mortar or beating clothes during washing. This aggressive striking motion eventually led to an extended metaphorical meaning: to cause disruption, create trouble, or intentionally disturb the peace and regular order of a situation.

Example Sentences Hide

妹妹在捣蛋。

Mèimei zài dǎodàn.

Younger sister is playing tricks.

别捣乱，我在工作。

Bié dǎoluàn, wǒ zài gōngzuò.

Don't cause trouble, I'm working.

孩子们喜欢捣蛋。

Háizimen xǐhuān dǎodàn.

Children like to play tricks.

他用锤子捣碎了核桃。

Tā yòng chuízi dǎosuìle hétao.

He crushed the walnuts with a hammer.

捣乱分子会被处罚。

Dǎoluàn fènzǐ huì bèi chǔfá.

Troublemakers will be punished.

虽然弟弟很调皮，但他不是故意捣乱。

Suīrán dìdi hěn tiáopí, dàn tā bùshì gùyì dǎoluàn.

Although younger brother is very naughty, he doesn't cause trouble on purpose.

在实验室里，我们常用研钵捣碎样品。

Zài shíyàn shì lǐ, wǒmen cháng yòng yánbō dǎosuì yàngpǐn.

In the laboratory, we often use a mortar to crush samples.

捣碎这些香料是为了让菜肴更美味。

Dǎosuì zhèxiē xiāngliào shì wèile ràng càiyáo gèng měiwèi.

Crushing these spices is to make the dish more delicious.

Related Characters

Component: 岛

捣

Definitions

Etymology

About

Example Sentences Hide

Related Characters

Example Words