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March 24, 2026
挖掘wājué(wa1jue2)
The verb 挖掘 (wājué) means to excavate or dig, often in the context of unearthing something valuable, whether it be physically, like minerals or archaeological artifacts, or metaphorically, such as ideas or emotions. It can be used in both literal and figurative contexts, making it versatile in conversations about discovery and exploration.
Frequency#5503DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of excavation often symbolizes uncovering hidden truths or past histories, which aligns with the importance placed on history and heritage. For example, archaeological excavations in places like the Terracotta Army are significant for understanding China's ancient civilization.
Memory Tip
Imagine a miner with a pickaxe (the character 挖) digging deep into the ground (掘) to find hidden treasures. The sound 'wa' in 'wājué' can remind you of 'whack'—like whacking the ground to dig deeper, while 'jue' can sound like 'jewel,' highlighting what you might find when you excavate.
Meanings of 挖掘
wājué(wa1jue2)
1to excavate
2to dig
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 挖掘
挖掘Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5503Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 挖掘
Podcast: 挖掘
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AI Study Notes for 挖掘
Quick Contrast
挖 (wā, dig) vs 开 (kāi, open) — use 挖掘 for deeper excavation or discovery, while 开 is for opening something without the connotation of digging.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a miner with a pickaxe (the character 挖) digging deep into the ground (掘) to find hidden treasures. The sound 'wa' in 'wājué' can remind you of 'whack'—like whacking the ground to dig deeper, while 'jue' can sound like 'jewel,' highlighting what you might find when you excavate.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 挖掘 with similar verbs like 挖 (wā) which simply means 'to dig' without the nuance of discovering. While 挖掘 is often used in more formal contexts, it is also commonly used in everyday language, especially in discussions about research or personal development.
HSK Study Tips
As a HSK Level 6 word, 挖掘 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to exploration and discovery. Focus on using it in both literal contexts (like archaeology) and abstract contexts (like ideas or insights) to fully grasp its versatility.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of excavation often symbolizes uncovering hidden truths or past histories, which aligns with the importance placed on history and heritage. For example, archaeological excavations in places like the Terracotta Army are significant for understanding China's ancient civilization.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 挖掘 with the simpler verb 挖 (wā), which lacks the connotation of discovery. For example, saying '我想挖一条河' (Wǒ xiǎng wā yītiáo hé) instead of '我想挖掘一个想法' (Wǒ xiǎng wājué yīgè xiǎngfǎ) misses the nuance of the word.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 挖掘
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Grammar Patterns of 挖掘
挖掘 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
____工作已显示在该地区有罗马和盎格鲁-撒克逊时代的遗迹。
Ex-cavations have revealed Roman and Anglo-Saxon remains in the area.
Example Sentences for 挖掘 (8)
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1
挖掘工作已显示在该地区有罗马和盎格鲁-撒克逊时代的遗迹。
wā jué gōng zuò yǐ xiǎn shì zài gāi dì qū yǒu luó mǎ hé àng gé lǔ- - sā kè xùn shí dài de yí。
Ex-cavations have revealed Roman and Anglo-Saxon remains in the area.
2
在那个地点又挖掘出几具尸体。
zài nà gè dì diǎn yòu wā jué chū jī jù shī tǐ。
More bodies have been dug up at the site.
3
北部又挖掘出了更多的人体遗骸。
běi bù yòu wā jué chū le gēng duō de rén tǐ yí hái。
More human remains have been unearthed in the north.
Rescue workers are digging through the rubble in search of other victims.
5
他们试着在洞穴正下方的一块地上挖掘。
tā mén shì zháo zài dòng xué zhèng xià fāng de yī kuài dì shàng wā jué。
They tried digging in a patch just below the cave.
6
牙医给我的牙堵了好几个洞 excavation 指“挖掘的洞”,如:
yá yī gěi wǒ de yá dǔ le hǎo jī gè dòngexcavation excavation“ zhǐ “ wā jué”, de:
The dentist filled several cavities in my teeth.
7
这些工人在操作隧道挖掘机时被大量的落石困住了。
zhè xiē gōng rén zài cāo zuò suì dào wā jué jī shí bèi dà liáng de luò shí kùn zhù le。
A massive rock fall trapped the men as they operated a tunnelling machine.
8
她是去田野和沟畔挖掘猪食的草料.
tā shì qù tián yě hé gōu pàn wā jué zhū shí de cǎo liào.
She went to the fields and channels for digging the fodders for pigs.
Cultural Notes for 挖掘
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of excavation often symbolizes uncovering hidden truths or past histories, which aligns with the importance placed on history and heritage. For example, archaeological excavations in places like the Terracotta Army are significant for understanding China's ancient civilization.
Frequently Asked Questions about 挖掘
No, 挖掘 can also be used metaphorically to refer to digging into ideas or emotions.
Yes, while it has formal usages, it is also common in everyday conversation.
Common phrases include '挖掘潜力' (wājué qiánlì) meaning 'to tap into potential' or '挖掘信息' (wājué xìnxī) meaning 'to unearth information'.
