Meaning and Usage
The verb 掏 (tāo) primarily means "to fish out" or "to take out" something from a confined space such as a pocket, bag, or container. It often implies a deliberate action of reaching inside to retrieve an object.
Common Contexts
- Physical action: extracting items like money, phone, or keys from pockets or bags.
- Figurative use: expressing wholehearted effort or sincerity, as in 掏心掏肺, meaning to do something with all one's heart.
Collocations and Patterns
- 掏出 (tāo chū): to fish out or take out.
- 掏钱 (tāo qián): to take out money, often for payment.
- 掏心掏肺 (tāo xīn tāo fèi): an idiomatic expression meaning to be sincere or wholehearted.
Usage Notes
掏 is a casual verb used in everyday speech. It is more vivid than simply "拿" (to take) because it emphasizes the action of reaching inside and pulling something out. Avoid confusing 掏 with 捞 (lāo), which often implies fishing or scooping from water or liquid.
When using 掏 in idiomatic expressions like 掏心掏肺, it conveys deep sincerity and emotional investment, which is important in social or emotional contexts.