Meaning
叨 (dāo) describes continuous, often excessive talking or chattering. It carries a somewhat negative connotation, suggesting that someone talks too much or repeats things in an annoying way. This character is most commonly seen in compound words rather than used alone.
Usage
This character rarely appears by itself in modern Mandarin. It is most frequently found in compounds like 唠叨 (láo dao, to nag/chatter) or 叨叨 (dāo dao, to talk on and on). When used, it typically describes repetitive or tiresome speech patterns. The pronunciation can also be tāo in certain compounds, or dáo when meaning 'to receive favor' in classical usage.
Examples
- 01她在我耳边叨叨了一整天。.She chattered in my ear all day long.
- 02别再唠唠叨叨的了，我都听明白了。, .Stop nagging already, I understand everything.
Common collocations
- 唠唠叨叨to nag incessantly
- 叨叨不休to chatter endlessly
Antonyms
Origin
The character combines the mouth radical 口 (kǒu) with the phonetic component 刀 (dāo, knife), suggesting speech that cuts or is sharp and repetitive.