陶 (táo) is a bound form (b.f.) that never stands alone in modern Mandarin — it always appears as the first element of a compound word. Its main meanings are: (1) earthenware / pottery (in 陶瓷 táocí and 陶器 táo qì); (2) to cultivate / refine one's character (in 陶冶 táoyě); and (3) happy / carefree (in the reduplicated 陶陶 táotáo). It is also a common surname (陶).