Meaning and Usage
The character 抠 (kōu) primarily means "to dig out" or "to pick" something, often with a finger or a small tool. It is commonly used in everyday contexts such as picking one's nose or digging out dirt. Additionally, 抠 can describe a person's stingy or miserly behavior, especially when referring to money.
Common Collocations
- 抠门 (kōu mén): stingy, miserly; used to describe someone who is reluctant to spend money.
- 抠鼻子 (kōu bízi): to pick one's nose; a common phrase describing the literal action.
Usage Notes
When used to describe behavior, 抠 often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying cheapness or reluctance to share resources. In physical actions, it is informal and often used in casual speech. Avoid using 抠 in formal writing when referring to stinginess; instead, use more formal terms like 吝啬.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse 抠 with 挖 (wā), which also means "to dig" but is more general and often used for larger-scale digging. 抠 usually implies a small, precise action, often with fingers.