to fish up

JLPT N5 10 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Usage and Nuances

The verb (lāo) primarily means "to fish up" or "to scoop up" something from water or another liquid. It is often used literally when talking about fishing or retrieving objects from water.

Beyond the literal sense, is frequently used metaphorically to describe gaining benefits, profits, or advantages, often with a nuance of opportunism or effort to "fish out" something valuable.

Common Collocations

  • (lāo yú): to fish up fish — literal fishing.
  • (lāo qián): to make money, often implying opportunistic profit.
  • 好处 (lāo hǎochù): to fish out benefits, to seek advantages.

Register and Tone

is informal and common in spoken Chinese, especially in contexts involving money or benefits. It can carry a slightly negative or opportunistic connotation when used metaphorically.

Avoiding Confusion

Do not confuse with (lāoqǔ), which is more formal and means "to obtain" or "to fish out" in a broader sense. is more colloquial and vivid, often emphasizing the physical or opportunistic action.

Example Sentences

He fished up a fish from the river.

The company made a big profit from this investment.

He always tries to fish out benefits for himself.