琢磨 zuómo to ponder
to ponder; to mull over; to think through; Taiwan pr.
How to remember 琢磨: 琢 to polish jade + 磨 millstone = to ponder.
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How it is used
- To turn something over in your mind - 我琢磨了半天 (wǒ zuómole bàntiān) I mulled it over for ages.
- Note the reading zuómo (neutral tone) for 'ponder'; read zhuómó it means to carve/polish jade or refine one's skill.
- Colloquial and thoughtful, close to 思考 but more casual/turning-it-over; often 琢磨不透 (can't figure out).