How to Write 掏 (tāo) — Meaning “to fish out or dig out”

Imagine using your hand (扌) to reach into a hollow pottery jar (匋) to fish something out. This visual combines the hand radical with the idea of digging into a container.

Pay attention to the right side 匋 — it has a small 缶-like shape at the bottom, not the same as 陶. Also write the hand radical 扌 first with its three strokes, then the right part; keep the left side smaller and the right side larger.

掏 means to dig out with the hand, while 拜 means to worship and has two hand-like components. 括 means to include or enclose, and uses the radical 扌 with 舌 (tongue), so its meaning is opposite — 掏 takes out, but 括 puts in or surrounds.

You often see 掏 in phrases like 掏钱 (to take out money to pay) and 掏出 (to pull something out, like a phone from a bag). Culturally, the idiom 掏心掏肺 (to dig out one's heart and lungs) means to be very sincere and open with someone.

Common words containing 掏 include: 掏钱 (tāo qián) — to pay or shell out money; 掏出 (tāo chū) — to take out or pull out; 掏空 (tāo kōng) — to hollow out or empty.