Usage of 扣 (kòu)
The character 扣 has several common uses in Mandarin Chinese, primarily related to fastening, deducting, or detaining.
Core Meanings
- To fasten or button something, such as clothing. For example, 扣子 means 'button,' and 扣好 means 'fasten properly.'
- To deduct or withhold money or points, often used in financial or administrative contexts, e.g., 银行扣钱 (bank deducts money).
- To detain or seize, commonly used in legal or police contexts, such as 扣押 (to detain or confiscate).
Common Collocations
- 扣钱: to deduct money, often from a salary or account.
- 扣分: to deduct points, e.g., in exams or competitions.
- 扣押: to detain or confiscate items.
- 扣子: button (noun).
Usage Notes
When used to mean 'fasten,' 扣 is often paired with 扣子 (button) or used as a verb for fastening clothes. When referring to deduction, it usually involves money or points and implies a subtraction or withholding. In legal contexts, 扣 implies seizure or detention of property or persons.
Avoid confusing 扣 with similar verbs like 扣留 (to detain) which is more formal, or 扣紧 (to fasten tightly) which emphasizes the tightness of fastening.
The tone is neutral and the word is common in both spoken and written Chinese, especially in formal or administrative language.