How to Write 捞 (lāo) — Meaning “Scoop up / Fish for”

Imagine you are using your hand (扌) to work hard (劳) at scooping noodles out of a bowl. The 'labor' part reminds you that scooping requires some effort, like fishing for something in water.

Pay attention to the right side 劳: the top is 艹 (grass) and bottom is 冖 (cover) plus 力 (power). Do not confuse the bottom of 劳 with 办. Also, the left radical 扌 must be narrow and placed higher than the right side.

捞 is the only one with the meaning 'scoop up' and uses the hand radical with labor on the right. 㧜 (not in common use) has a different right part and no clear connection to scooping. 抨 (pēng) means 'to attack or criticize', with 平 (flat) on the right, not labor.

捞 is very common in cooking, like 捞面 (lo mein, tossed noodles) and 捞鱼 (netting fish). In Cantonese cuisine, 'lo mein' is a famous dish where noodles are tossed with sauce. It can also mean 'to gain improperly', as in 捞钱 (to make money in a shady way).

Common words containing 捞 include: 捞面 (lāo miàn) — Lo mein / Tossed noodles; 捞鱼 (lāo yú) — Net fish / Scoop up fish; 捞起来 (lāo qǐ lái) — Scoop up / Pull out of water.