How to Write 捣 (dǎo) — Meaning “Pound / Smash / Stir up”

Imagine a chef using a hand (扌) to pound garlic for a very long time (寿, which means long life) until it is completely smashed. This picture of repetitive hand pounding helps link the shape to the meaning of pound or smash.

First write the hand radical 扌, then the right part 寿. Make sure the right side has a vertical hook at the bottom, and keep the left radical slightly narrower than the right. A common mistake is making the right side too wide or forgetting the hook stroke.

捣 has the right component 寿 and means physical pounding or causing trouble (as in 捣乱). 抨 has the right component 平 and means to attack or criticize, like in 抨击 (to denounce). The right sides give different pronunciations and completely different meanings.

捣 appears in everyday actions like 捣碎 (smash into pieces, e.g., garlic) and in phrases like 捣乱 (make trouble) or 捣鬼 (play tricks). It often has a slightly negative or disruptive tone, and it is common in informal speech and cooking instructions.

Common words containing 捣 include: 捣乱 (dǎo luàn) — Make trouble / Create a disturbance; 捣碎 (dǎo suì) — Smash / Mash / Pound into pieces; 捣鬼 (dǎo guǐ) — Play tricks / Scheme.