托

• Pinyin: tuō
• Hanzi breakdown: 托 = 扌(hand) + 乇 (phonetic component)

Meaning

To entrust; to hold up; to support with the palm. To give someone responsibility for something or to support something from below.

Multiple related meanings: (1) to entrust or ask someone to do something (托人办事); (2) to support or hold up with the hand/palm (托盘); (3) used as an excuse (托词). Common in compound words: 寄托 (to place hopes on), 委托 (to commission), 托儿所 (daycare).

Examples

1. 我托朋友从国外带了一些特产回来。 I asked a friend to bring back some local specialties from abroad.
2. 服务员一只手托着满满一盘子酒杯。 The waiter held up a tray full of wine glasses with one hand.
3. 父母把全部希望都寄托在孩子身上。 Parents place all their hopes on their children.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, business, formal requests

Tone: polite

Do Say

• 我托他帮我买张票。(I asked him to help me buy a ticket.)
• 托你的福，一切顺利。(Thanks to you, everything went smoothly.)

Don't Say

• 我托了这本书 — 指物理上托住东西用'托着'，托单独做动词主要指'委托、拜托'

Origin & History

Originally meant to support something with the hand. Extended to the abstract meaning of entrusting something to someone's care.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal