diu1 doek3雕琢
Jyutpingdiu1 doek3
Yaledīu deuk
Definition
To carve or polish something small and intricate, such as jade.
neutraldaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
While this term is used for physical carving, it is frequently applied metaphorically to language or literary works to describe the process of refining and polishing prose. It implies a high level of patience and attention to detail, often suggesting that the final result is a work of art. In casual speech, people might use 刻 instead for simple carving, reserving 雕琢 for more intricate or artistic craftsmanship.
Examples
This jade piece is carved very delicately.
Do you need to carve this piece of wood?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general word for cutting or chopping, but it specifically implies artistic or delicate work. Using it to describe rough carpentry or basic cutting will sound unnatural.
Grammar color guide
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Verb
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
