捅

• Pinyin: tǒng
• Hanzi breakdown: 捅 = 扌(hand) + 甬 (phonetic)

Meaning

To poke; to stab; to prod; to expose (a secret); to cause trouble.

Physical meaning is to thrust or jab with something pointed. Figuratively used to mean exposing secrets, stirring up trouble, or breaking through barriers. Common in colloquial expressions.

Examples

1. 他不小心用伞捅到了前面的乘客，连忙道歉。 He accidentally poked the passenger in front with his umbrella and quickly apologized.
2. 这事儿可不能捅出去，否则大家都没好果子吃。 This can't be leaked — otherwise nobody's going to come out of it well.
3. 是谁把这件事捅到媒体那儿去的？ Who leaked this to the media?

Usage Guide

Context: physical actions, gossip, causing trouble

Tone: colloquial

Do Say

• 捅破窗户纸。(To break through the paper window — expose the truth.)
• 捅娄子。(To stir up trouble.)

Don't Say

• 在正式场合用'捅'表示揭露 (In formal contexts, use 揭露 or 曝光 instead of the colloquial 捅)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic character: 扌(hand radical) + 甬 (phonetic component).

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal