Meaning and Usage
The character 刨 (páo) primarily means to plane or shave wood using a carpenter's plane tool. It also means to dig or excavate, often used in contexts like digging foundations or holes.
Common Collocations
- 刨子 (páozi): carpenter's plane, the tool used for smoothing wood surfaces.
- 刨地基 (páo dìjī): to dig a foundation, commonly used in construction.
- 刨坑 (páo kēng): to dig a hole, often for planting or burying.
Usage Notes
刨 is a verb that can describe both fine woodworking actions and more forceful digging activities. When referring to woodworking, it usually involves a tool (刨子). When used for digging, it implies removing earth or material to create space. It is less common in everyday speech compared to simpler verbs like 挖 (wā) for digging, but it carries a nuance of careful or deliberate removal.
Common Confusions
刨 should not be confused with 剖 (pōu), which means to cut open or dissect. 刨 emphasizes shaving or digging out material rather than cutting through.
Register and Tone
刨 is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts related to carpentry or excavation.