耜

A manual digging tool, such as a spade or heavy hoe used for breaking clods and preparing seedbeds.

Functions as a noun (the tool) or a verb (to dig, hoe, or cultivate with a spade).

Distinguish from //lěi// (耒), which typically refers to the heavier plow associated with animal traction and deep furrowing. In later periods, it may be distinguished from more specialized tools such as the //chú// (鋤).

U+3B52 is a graphical variant. In very early texts, the term served as a general designation for digging implements.

Use "spade" or "hoe" for manual labor; reserve "plow" only if the surrounding context explicitly implies large-scale field preparation or animal traction.