陶 táo pottery
pottery; ceramics
How to remember 陶: 阝 mound + 匋 pottery = pottery. Grandma digs clay from the mound behind her pottery shop, where the kids fire their very first pottery.
Component breakdown
陶 = 阝 mound + 匋 pottery
- 阝 mound
- 匋 pottery
Grandma digs clay from the mound behind her pottery shop, where the kids fire their very first pottery.
How it is used
- Pottery/earthenware: 陶瓷 (táocí) ceramics, 陶器 (táoqì) pottery.
- Figuratively, being molded like clay - 熏陶 (xūntáo) to shape/nurture through long exposure (of culture, upbringing), 陶冶情操 (táoyě qíngcāo) to cultivate one's character.
- 陶醉 (táozuì) means to be blissfully intoxicated/immersed, e.g. 陶醉在音乐里 (táozuì zài yīnyuè lǐ) lost in the music.