索 (suǒ) is a versatile character that appears in several common compounds. As a verb-like element it means 'to search' (搜索 sōusuǒ) or 'to demand/ask for' (索取 suǒqǔ). As a noun it can mean 'rope' or 'clue' (线索 xiànsuǒ). It also serves as an abbreviation for 索马里 (Suǒmǎlǐ, Somalia) and as a surname. In modern Chinese, 索 is rarely used alone; it almost always forms part of a multi-character word.