Definition
讨 (tǎo) means 'to demand' (payment, explanation) or 'to provoke' (a reaction, often positive like 讨人喜欢). In literary use it means 'to suppress rebellion' or 'to denounce' – this is more formal and military than 指责 (criticize) or 举报 (report to authorities).
verb
to demandask for (payment, explanation, etc.)to provokeinvite (a reaction, often positive or negative)(literary) to suppress (rebellion) / to denounce
Easily confused
- 译yìlook-aliketo translate
- 套tàosound-alike(verb) to cover, to encase, to put on (a cover)
- 付fùlook-aliketo pay
- 逃táosound-aliketo escape; to flee; to run away
- 桃táosound-alikepeach
- 掏tāosound-aliketo take or pull out (from a pocket, bag, or container); to scoop out
- 淘táosound-aliketo wash or rinse (rice, grain) by agitating in water
Examples
- 。Tā měi gè yuè dōu qù tǎo zhài.He goes to collect debts every month.
- 讨。Tā fēicháng tǎo rén xǐhuan.She is very likable.
- 。Gǔdài dìwáng cháng pài bīng tǎo fá pànluàn.Ancient emperors often sent troops to suppress rebellions.
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