掘 jué to dig
to dig; to excavate
How to remember 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.
Component breakdown
掘 = 扌 hand + 屈 to bend
- 扌 hand
- 屈 to bend
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 is used
- 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).