Definitions

cāo (verb) to operate; to manage; to control
cāo (verb) to exercise; to practice; to drill

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 操 is a phono-semantic compound composed of the hand radical 扌 and the component 喿, which primarily provides phonetic guidance. Its original meaning centered on grasping or holding with the hand, a direct reflection of its semantic element. Over time, its application expanded from concrete manual actions like handling or manipulating objects to more abstract domains such as conducting operations, directing military drills, and managing affairs. This semantic broadening further led to its use in denoting disciplined personal conduct or behavior, while its structural form has remained consistent without graphical simplification.

Etymology Hide

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

Example Sentences Hide

他在作电脑。

Ta zai caozuo diannao.

He is operating the computer.

妈妈总是心。

Mama zongshi caoxin.

Mom always worries.

我们每天做体

Women meitian zuo ticao.

We do gymnastics every day.

孩子们在场上玩。

Haizimen zai caochang shang wan.

The children are playing on the playground.

着流利的英语。

Ta caozhe liulide yingyu.

He speaks fluent English.

这项工作需要细心作。

Zhe xiang gongzuo xuyao xixin caozuo.

This job requires careful operation.

不要为小事心太多。

Buyao wei xiaoshi caoxin tai duo.

Don't worry too much about trivial matters.

教练正在指导球员练。

Jiaolian zhengzai zhidao qiuyuan caolian.

The coach is instructing the players to drill.