挖 wā to dig
to dig; to excavate
How to remember 挖: 扌 hand + 穴 hole + 乙 second = to dig. With a spade in her hand the girl starts a hole in the sand, and her brother a second one, both racing to dig deeper than Dad.
Component breakdown
挖 = 扌 hand + 穵
- 扌 hand
- 穵
- 穴 hole
- 乙 second
With a spade in her hand the girl starts a hole in the sand, and her brother a second one, both racing to dig deeper than Dad.
How it is used
- To dig/excavate - 挖坑 (wā kēng) dig a hole, 挖井 (wā jǐng) dig a well, 挖掘 (wājué) excavate/unearth (also figuratively, 挖掘潜力 tap potential).
- 挖角 / 挖人 (wā rén) = to poach staff. 挖苦 (wāku) = to speak sarcastically/dig at someone - note this sense of 挖.