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", signifying large waves or a surge of water, originates from the traditional form "濤", a phono-semantic compound where the water radical (氵) denotes its semantic field related to liquid elements, and the component "壽" primarily serves as a phonetic indicator. This structural arrangement has consistently linked the character to concepts of aquatic turbulence, with its meaning historically focused on describing powerful movements in bodies of water such as oceanic swells or river currents. The simplified version "涛" retains the water radical while incorporating a streamlined phonetic element, yet the essential conception of wave-like motion has persisted without significant shift. Over time, the character's usage has maintained a stable semantic core, appearing in literary and everyday contexts to evoke the dynamic force of water, from literal descriptions of natural phenomena to metaphorical applications.

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.