套

tào

HSK 5

套 — tào

1. to cover; to encase; to sheath

   请把电线套好再安装。 qǐng bǎ diànxiàn tào hǎo zài ānzhuāng — Please sheath the wires properly before installing.

2. sheath; cover; casing (the object that covers something)

   手机有硅胶套可以防摔。 shǒujī yǒu guījiāotào kěyǐ fáng shuāi — The phone has a silicone case to prevent drops.

3. to overlap; to interleave

   两个铁环正好套在一起，拆不开。 liǎnggè tiěhuán zhènghǎo tào zài yìqǐ chāi bùkāi — The two iron rings are interlocked and can't be pulled apart.

4. to model after; to copy; to follow a formula

   他总是套别人的做法，很少创新。 tā zǒngshì tào biérén de zuòfǎ hěnshǎo chuàngxīn — He always copies others' methods and seldom innovates.

5. formula; fixed pattern; set expression

   写论文要避免套用别人的论述。 xiě lùnwén yào bìmiǎn tàoyòng biérén de lùnshù — When writing a paper, avoid using others' formulations.

6. harness; loop of rope; device for fastening

   骑马前要先给马套上缰绳。 qímǎ qián yào xiān gěi mǎ tào shàng jiāngshéng — Before riding, you must first put the harness on the horse.

7. to fish for; to obtain slyly; to procure by trickery

   他想办法套出消息来源。 tā xiǎng bànfǎ tàochū xiāoxīláiyuán — He tried to worm out the source of the news.

8. classifier for sets, collections (e.g., a set of clothes, a set of furniture)

   我买了一套西装。 wǒ mǎi le yītào xīzhuāng — I bought a suit (a set of suit).

9. bend (of a river or mountain range) — used in place names; also the Greek letter tau

   河套地区土地肥沃，适合耕种。 hétào dìqū tǔdì féiwò shìhé gēngzhòng — The Hetao region has fertile land suitable for farming.