tǎo
verb HSK 7-9 #3,576

Meanings

  1. 1 to discuss; to talk over
  2. 2 to demand; to ask for
  3. 3 to incur; to provoke

Examples

Wǒmen tǎolùn yíxià zhège wèntí.
Let's discuss this problem.
Zhège háizi hěn tǎorén xǐhuan.
This child is very endearing.
Tā qù tǎo qián le.
He went to ask for money.

Tips

usage
is mainly used in compounds: 讨论 (discuss), 讨厌 (annoying/to dislike), 讨价还价 (haggle), 讨好 (to flatter/curry favor), 讨人喜欢 (likeable).

Components

radical
yán
speech (radical form)
Left speech-radical (simplified from ) — the indexing radical. Anchors in the family of speech-action verbs alongside (speak), (debate), (discuss), (comment). Discussion, demand, and debate all happen with words.
semantic
cùn
inch; rule; measure
Right — depicts a hand with a marker at the wrist pulse, signifying 'measured judgment, regulation.' Compound ideograph rather than phono-semantic: + = speech with measured authority = to call to account, mete out demands, discuss with rigor. The original sense was 'punitive expedition, demand restitution.'

Stroke Order

tǎo