to fish out

JLPT N5 11 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Meaning and Usage

The verb (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 , meaning to do something with all one's heart.

Collocations and Patterns

  • (tāo chū): to fish out or take out.
  • (tāo qián): to take out money, often for payment.
  • (tāo xīn tāo fèi): an idiomatic expression meaning to be sincere or wholehearted.

Usage Notes

is a casual verb used in everyday speech. It is more vivid than simply "" (to take) because it emphasizes the action of reaching inside and pulling something out. Avoid confusing with (lāo), which often implies fishing or scooping from water or liquid.

When using in idiomatic expressions like , it conveys deep sincerity and emotional investment, which is important in social or emotional contexts.

Example Sentences

He fished out his phone from his pocket.

She took out money to buy that book.

He wholeheartedly helped his friend solve the problem.