About
The character "撮" originates from a traditional form composed of the hand radical (扌) on the left, denoting manual action, and "最" on the right, which primarily serves a phonetic function but also carries connotations of gathering or bringing together. Its core meaning has consistently centered on the action of collecting or pinching small quantities with the fingers, as in gathering herbs or picking up grains. From this concrete, physical sense of gathering small items, the meaning expanded metaphorically to include abstract forms of consolidation, such as compiling written summaries or essentials, giving rise to words like "撮要" meaning a summary. Furthermore, the character also developed a specific usage as a measure word for small handfuls or pinches of substances, like a pinch of salt, and later for discrete groups of people. This semantic range demonstrates how the character's fundamental idea of a precise, gathered action branched out from the tangible to the abstract and quantitative.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这是一小撮茶叶。
他们撮合了一对情侣。
他撮要地介绍了计划。
我撮起一些沙子。
不要撮弄那个小孩。
她用手撮了一撮面粉。
这一撮人经常聚会。
他负责撮要报告的内容。