凿
záo · HSK 7
to bore a hole
⛏️ záo sounds like zow — the zing of a chisel biting into stone to bore a hole
凿 means to chisel or bore a hole, and by extension certain or conclusive (as in 确凿, solidly established). The sound záo rhymes with cow but starts with a dz, like dzow.
凿 — 业 + 凵 + 殳 + 金-like base
凿 (záo) originally depicted a hand holding a chisel-like tool striking down into a mortar or hollow, conveying the act of cutting or boring. The traditional form 鑿 includes 金 (metal), marking it as a metal tool; the simplified form drops the metal radical but keeps the chiseling sense. It now means 'to chisel, bore' or 'chisel' as a noun.