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凸 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
convexHSK 7, v, 5 strokes, radical 凵, rank #19129, Hard
to stick outHSK 7, v, 5 strokes, radical 凵, rank #19129, Hard
Taiwan pr. [tú]HSK 7, v, 5 strokes, radical 凵, rank #19129, Hard
to protrude, to bulge out; convexHSK 7, v, 5 strokes, radical 凵, rank #19129, Hard
protrudingHSK 7, unknown, 5 strokes, radical 凵, rank #19129, Hard
male (connector etc)HSK 7, unknown, 5 strokes, radical 凵, rank #19129, Hard
Taiwan pr. [tu2]HSK 7, unknown, 5 strokes, radical 凵, rank #19129, Hard
(tu1) T1
  1. 1convex
  2. 2to stick out
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March 24, 2026

(tu1)

The character 凸 (tū) primarily describes the shape or quality of being convex or protruding. It is commonly used in contexts such as geometry, describing objects that bulge outward, and can also refer to things that are noticeably sticking out, like a bump or a bulge.

Strokes5RadicalFrequency#19129DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Taiwan, the pronunciation of 凸 as tú can also refer to protruding features in a playful or colloquial manner, often used in casual conversations about fashion or design.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'tub' (tū) that is round and bulging outwards at the sides. The character 凸 resembles a 'tub' with its outward curves, helping you remember both its shape and pronunciation.

Meanings of 凸

(tu1)
1convex
2to stick out
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 凸

Simplified
5Strokes
Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#19129Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 凸

JasonAmy

Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 凸

Quick Contrast

凹 (āo) - use 凸 for convex shapes, while 凹 describes concave shapes.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'tub' (tū) that is round and bulging outwards at the sides. The character 凸 resembles a 'tub' with its outward curves, helping you remember both its shape and pronunciation.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 凸 with its antonym 凹 (āo), which means concave. This character is more informal and typically used in everyday conversation or descriptions rather than formal writing. Be cautious with the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

While 凸 is not in the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to other words describing shapes, such as 平 (píng) for flat and 凹 (āo) for concave. Focus on understanding its use in context, especially in discussions about shapes or physical objects.

Cultural Note

In Taiwan, the pronunciation of 凸 as tú can also refer to protruding features in a playful or colloquial manner, often used in casual conversations about fashion or design.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 凸 with other similar-looking characters, leading to mispronunciations like using 'dū' instead of 'tū'. Remember that the correct pronunciation is critical for conveying the right meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 凸

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Etymology of 凸

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of a bump sticking out. Opposite of 凹.

Memory Hint

A rectangle with a bulge

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 凸?

Decomposition of 凸

IDS Structure⿱⿰??一
Full Character
=
yi1
left
Exercise 1 of 1

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 凸?

Write 凸

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 凸

凸 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

他摇摇晃晃地行走在停车场凹____不平的地面上。

He staggered on the uneven surface of the car park.

Example Sentences for 凸 (10)

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1
他摇摇晃晃地行走在停车场凹凸不平的地面上。

tā yáo yáo huǎng huǎng dì háng zǒu zài tíng chē cháng āo tū bù píng de dì miàn shàng。

He staggered on the uneven surface of the car park.
2
柏油路面两边的辅道上布满车辙,凹凸不平。

bǎi yóu lù miàn liǎng biān de fǔ dào shàng bù mǎn chē zhé, , āo tū bù。

The side tracks off the tarred road were rutted and uneven.
3
凸凹不平的石墙就像一条很深的运河的河岸。

tū āo bù píng de shí qiáng jiù xiàng yī tiáo hěn shēn de yùn hé de hé àn。

The rough rock walls were like the sides of a deep canal.
4
那件连衣裙凸显了她的蜂腰,也让她的胸部看起来更丰满。

nà jiàn lián yī qún tū xiǎn le tā de fēng yāo, , yě ràng tā de xiōng bù kàn qǐ lái gēng fēng。

The dress exaggerates her wasp waist and enlarges her bosom.
5
原先苹果酒里的任何杂质在蒸馏后都会凸现出来。

yuán xiān píng guǒ jiǔ lǐ de rèn hé zá zhì zài zhēng liù hòu dū huì tū xiàn chū lái。

Any faults in the original cider stood out sharply after distillation.
6
他有一双清澈的蓝眼睛和凸出的下巴。

tā yǒu yī shuāng qīng chè de lán yǎn jīng hé tū chū de xià bā。

He had clear blue eyes and a jutting chin.
7
平底锅的凸纹设计使多余的油能够控出。

píng dǐ guō de tū wén shè jì shǐ duō yú de yóu néng gòu kòng chū。

The ridged design of the pan allows excess fat to drain off.
8
卡车嘎吱嘎吱地在凹凸不平的地面上颠簸而行。

kǎ chē gā zhī gā zhī dì zài āo tū bù píng de dì miàn shàng diān bò ér háng。

The truck jolted and rattled over the rough ground.
9
他把上衣挂在凸出墙面的一根钉子上。

tā bǎ shàng yī guà zài tū chū qiáng miàn de yī gēn dīng zǐ shàng。

He hung his coat on a nail protruding from the wall.
10
转子在其凸角之间的三个面上有凹槽.

zhuǎn zǐ zài qí tū jiǎo zhī jiān de sān gè miàn shàng yǒu āo cáo.

The rotor has recesses in its three faces between the lobes.

Cultural Notes for 凸

🏮Cultural insight

In Taiwan, the pronunciation of 凸 as tú can also refer to protruding features in a playful or colloquial manner, often used in casual conversations about fashion or design.

Word Family of 凸

Words Containing This Character16
convex
凸现to stick out凸現
凸显tūxiǎnto present clearly凸顯
凸出to protrude
凸起convex
凹凸āotūconcave or convex
凹凸不平uneven (surface)
凸轮cam凸輪
凸透镜convex lens凸透鏡
凸轮轴camshaft凸輪軸
凸面convex surface
凸版relief printing plate
凸镜convex mirror凸鏡
凸性convexity
凸面镜convex mirror凸面鏡
凸多边形convex polygon凸多邊形
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 凸 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 凸

You can say '这个球是凸的' (zhège qiú shì tū de), meaning 'This ball is convex.'