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    Chinese Grammar

    Picking or choosing with 挑 (tiāo)

    Actions & Events
    Manner & Method

    Structure

    挑 + Object

    Explanation

    挑 (tiāo) means to pick, choose, or select from a group. It implies a deliberate act of examining options and making a selection, often used when someone is being particular about their choice.

    Examples

    • 她在水果摊前挑了半天,才选了几个苹果。

      Tā zài shuǐguǒ tān qián tiāo le bàntiān, cái xuǎn le jǐ gè píngguǒ.

      She spent a long time picking at the fruit stand before finally choosing a few apples.

    • 买衣服的时候他特别爱挑,每件都要试一遍。

      Mǎi yīfu de shíhòu tā tèbié ài tiāo, měi jiàn dōu yào shì yī biàn.

      He is especially picky when buying clothes and has to try on every piece.

    • 你别太挑了,这几个方案都不错。

      Nǐ bié tài tiāo le, zhè jǐ gè fāng'àn dōu búcuò.

      Don't be so picky; all of these proposals are pretty good.

    Picking or choosing with 挑 (tiāo) | Chinese Grammar