掘 jué to dig
to dig; to excavate
怎么记住“掘”: 扌 hand + 屈 to bend = to dig. With a spade in his hand, the boy has to bend down low on the beach as he hurries to dig a tunnel before the tide.
部件结构
形声 · Meaning + sound
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
掘 = 扌 hand + 屈 to bend
- 扌 hand meaning
- 屈 to bend sound
With a spade in his hand, the boy has to bend down low on the beach as he hurries to dig a tunnel before the tide.
How it came to be
The small seal form already puts the hand on the left for the meaning, and the right part gives the sound.
用法
- To dig/excavate: 挖掘 (wājué) to unearth (also fig. to tap potential), 发掘 (fājué) to excavate/discover (talent, treasure), 掘墓 (jué mù) to dig a grave.
- 自掘坟墓 (zì jué fénmù) = to dig one's own grave.
- 掘 is more formal/literary than everyday 挖 (wā).