Meanings of 嘟
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About 嘟
Podcast: 嘟
Podcast: 嘟
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AI study notes for 嘟
嘟 is generally used in informal speech and may not be suitable for formal writing. A common mistake is using it in a serious context where a more formal term for sound might be appropriate. Be careful with the tone; it is pronounced with a high level tone (dū).
While 嘟 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be related to words in HSK levels that describe sounds or actions. Focus on the onomatopoeic aspect of the word, which can help learners understand other similar terms in conversational Mandarin.
Learners often confuse 嘟 with other sound-related characters and may use it in more formal contexts, such as in writing. For example, saying '我想嘟这个' (I want to toot this) in a formal meeting is inappropriate; instead, use a more formal expression for the action.
Pronunciation of 嘟
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Jason Explains 嘟 to you
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Etymology of 嘟
Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 都 represents the sound.
mouth
Origin
嘟 = 口 + 都. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 嘟
Parts
Which of these is part of 嘟?
How to say the sound of a horn tooting in Chinese
“the sound of a horn tooting” in Chinese is嘟
The character 嘟 (dū) primarily represents the sound made by a horn, such as a car horn or a trumpet. It can also be used to describe the action of pouting, as in the expression of displeasure. This character is often used in informal contexts, especially when mimicking sounds.
When to use 嘟
嘟 is generally used in informal speech and may not be suitable for formal writing. A common mistake is using it in a serious context where a more formal term for sound might be appropriate. Be careful with the tone; it is pronounced with a high level tone (dū).
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 嘟 with other sound-related characters and may use it in more formal contexts, such as in writing. For example, saying '我想嘟这个' (I want to toot this) in a formal meeting is inappropriate; instead, use a more formal expression for the action.
Write 嘟
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Practice writing 嘟 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 嘟
嘟 functions as an onomatopoeic word — it imitates a sound. It often functions as an adverbial or stand-alone exclamation rather than a true verb or noun. It carries 4 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.
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汽船向我们____嘟鸣笛时，甲板上的水手们饶有趣味地挥着手。
Steamers tooted at us as sailors on deck waved in amusement.
Example sentences for 嘟 (6)
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Word Family of 嘟
Words with 嘟
What does 嘟囔 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 嘟
You would use 嘟 when describing the sound of a horn or when playfully describing someone pouting.
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