Definitions

tāo (noun) big wave

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and 寿 represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic: 寿

About

The character 涛 (simplified) or 濤 (traditional) is a phono-semantic compound. Its semantic radical 氵 (shuǐ) indicates a connection to water and fluid movement. The right component 寿 (shòu), or 壽 in traditional form, provides the phonetic element while meaning "longevity". The character originally described large, powerful ocean waves or turbulent river currents. In literary and poetic usage, its meaning extends metaphorically to evoke powerful momentum, overwhelming historical forces, roaring sounds, or sweeping, tumultuous events.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

非常大。

bō tāo fēi cháng dà

The waves are very big.

声很响亮。

tāo shēng hěn xiǎng liàng

The sound of waves is very loud.

大海的波不断。

dà hǎi de bō tāo bù duàn

The waves of the sea are continuous.

他听着声入睡。

tā tīng zhe tāo shēng rù shuì

He falls asleep listening to the sound of waves.

拍打着岩石。

bō tāo pāi dǎ zhe yán shí

The waves are beating against the rocks.

清晨的海声很美。

qīng chén de hǎi tāo shēng hěn měi

The sound of sea waves in the early morning is very beautiful.

面对生活的波,他从不退缩。

miàn duì shēng huó de bō tāo, tā cóng bù tuì suō

Facing the waves of life, he never retreats.

在暴风雨中,波变得更加狂暴。

zài bào fēng yǔ zhōng, bō tāo biàn dé gèng jiā kuáng bào

In the storm, the waves become even more violent.