讨 (tǎo) · to discuss; to talk over

Meanings

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

Characters

讨

tǎo

to discuss; to demand

Examples

HSK 1

这个孩子很讨人喜欢。

Zhège háizi hěn tǎo rén xǐhuan.

This child is very endearing.

HSK 1

他去讨钱了。

Tā qù tǎo qián le.

He went to ask for money.

HSK 4

我们讨论一下这个问题。

Wǒmen tǎolùn yíxià zhège wèntí.

Let's discuss this problem.

Tips

usage

讨 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

讠 yán

speech (radical form)

Left speech-radical 讠 (simplified from 言) - the indexing radical. Anchors 讨 in the family of speech-action verbs alongside 说 (speak), 论 (debate), 议 (discuss), 评 (comment). Discussion, demand, and debate all happen with words.

semantic

寸 cùn

inch; rule; measure

Right 寸 - depicts a hand with a marker at the wrist pulse, signifying 'measured judgment, regulation.' Compound ideograph rather than phono-semantic: 言 + 寸 = speech with measured authority = to call to account, mete out demands, discuss with rigor. The original sense was 'punitive expedition, demand restitution.'