打”: a versatile Chinese character

There are words that mean a lot and are widely used in every language. For example, in English, there is "take", "make", "do" and so on.

不管哪种语言，都有一些含义多样、用法广泛的字词。比如，英语里有"take"、"make" "do"等词。

It is the same case in Chinese, and "打" (dǎ) is one of them. 

汉语也有很多这种。"打"字就是其中一个。

"打" means "beat or hit" basically, as in "打人"（dǎ rén , beat somebody）, "打架" (dǎ jià, have a fight) and "打仗" (dǎ zhànɡ, fight a battle).

打的本意是用力攻击它物，例如打人、打架，再放大一点，打仗。

"打" is also used widely in production activities. For example, "打谷子" (dǎ ɡǔ zi, thresh), "打谷场" (dǎ ɡǔ chǎnɡ, threshing ground), "打猎" (dǎ liè, hunt), "打渔" (dǎ yú, fish), and "打井" (dǎ jǐnɡ, dig a well).

打在生产活动中应用广泛，例如打谷子、打谷场，猎人出猎称为打猎，渔人出船称为打渔，挖井叫打井。

When it comes to the daily life, "fetch water" is called "打水" (dǎ shuǐ) and "buy a meal" is called "打饭" (dǎ fàn). One can use "打" when he or she buys daily necessaries, as in "打油" (dǎ yóu , buy oil) and "打醋" (dǎ cù, buy vinegar). Now, there is a popular phrase on line, "打酱油" (dǎ jiànɡ yóu), which means "make no comment on public topics or it has nothing to do with me". 

转到生活上来，取水就叫打水，买饭称为打饭，买生活用品例如油盐酱醋之类，都用打字开头，打油、打醋，现在网络上还有一个词儿，打酱油，意思是指"对公众话题不关心，有"与我无关"的意思。

Moreover, writing is associated with "打" as well. For example, "make a draft" is called "打草稿" (dǎ cǎo ɡǎo). Nowadays, with application of computers, writing has been turned into typing (打字, dǎ zì).

不仅如此，写作也和打有关。例如，打草稿。现在，很多中国人早完成了换笔的过程，写字已经变成了打字。

However, the word is the most frequently used in "打的" (take a taxi). In an emergency case, you can also fly home, which is dubbed "打飞的" (dǎ fēi dí).

现在最常用的是打的，有时候事儿急了，坐飞机赶回来，还被戏称为打飞的。

In addition, "打" is used more widely in sports and games. For example, "打球" (dǎ qiú, play a ball game), "打牌" (dǎ pái, play cards), "打麻将" (dǎ má jiānɡ, play Mahjong), and "打游戏" (dǎ yóu xì, play games). "打" is almost seen everywhere. 

打的更广泛的用途在于体育游戏一类。体育上的打球，娱乐上的打牌、打麻将，玩游戏叫打游戏，这个说起来也许到了几乎漫无边际的地步。

Also, "make contact with somebody" is called "打交道" (dǎ jiāo dào). "打圆场" (dǎ yuán chǎnɡ) means "mediate a dispute". 

除此之外，与人交往称为打交道，此处打的意思是交流。别人有争执，自己给竖个梯子，称为打圆场，就是找个台阶请人下来。

"打" can also be seen in emotional expression. For example, "打气" (dǎ qì) means "encourage", "打起精神" (dǎ qǐ jīnɡ shen) means "cheer up". "flirting" is called "打情骂俏" (dǎ qínɡ mà qiào), while "remain single" is dubbed "打光棍" (dǎ ɡuānɡ ɡùn).

打在精神情感方面也有表达。鼓励别人行动称为打气。抖擞精神为打起精神，现在还用着。往那边走一步又有打情骂俏。打情骂俏的另一个极端就是打光棍了。

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