Meaning and Usage
The character 凿 (záo) primarily means "to chisel" or "to carve out" using a chisel tool. It can also refer to the chisel itself. This verb is often used in contexts involving craftsmanship, archaeology, or metaphorically extracting information or evidence.
Common Collocations
- 凿子 (záozi): chisel tool, the instrument used for carving.
- 凿开 (záokāi): to chisel open, often used for opening doors, walls, or other solid objects.
- 凿出 (záochū): to chisel out, used both literally and figuratively for extracting or uncovering something.
Usage Notes
凿 is a formal or literary term and is less common in everyday spoken Chinese. It often appears in written descriptions of craftsmanship or archaeological work. When used metaphorically, it implies careful and deliberate extraction of information or evidence, similar to chiseling out a physical object.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse 凿 with 钻 (zuān), which means "to drill" or "to bore through". 凿 implies carving or chiseling with a tool, while 钻 involves rotating or drilling motions.