Meanings of 屠
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About 屠
Podcast: 屠
Podcast: 屠
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AI Study Notes for 屠
屠 (tú, to butcher) vs 杀 (shā, to kill) — use 屠 specifically for butchering animals, whereas 杀 is more general for killing any living being.
This character is generally used in more formal or historical contexts due to its serious implications. Be cautious when using it in casual conversation, as it can evoke strong emotions. Common collocations include 屠杀 (túshā - to massacre) and 屠夫 (túfū - butcher).
Although 屠 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with verbs related to actions (like 'to kill' 杀, shā) and can be beneficial for understanding more complex texts. Students should focus on recognizing its use in literary and historical contexts.
Learners often confuse 屠 with other similar characters like 杀, leading to incorrect usage. For instance, saying '我去屠动物' (I go to butcher animals) instead of '我去杀动物' (I go to kill animals) can sound overly dramatic.
Pronunciation of 屠
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Etymology of 屠
Phonosemantic compound. 尸 represents the meaning and 者 represents the sound.
corpse
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 屠
Phonosemantic compound. 尸 represents the meaning and 者 represents the sound.
- 1The meaning half尸 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half者 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaycorpse
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 屠? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 屠?
Decomposition of 屠
Identify the Components
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How to say surname Tu in Chinese
“surname Tu” in Chinese is屠
The character 屠 (tú) primarily means 'to butcher' or 'to slaughter,' often in the context of animals for food. It can also refer to mass killings or massacres, carrying a strong and negative connotation. Commonly used in contexts related to both agriculture and historical events involving violence.
When to use 屠
This character is generally used in more formal or historical contexts due to its serious implications. Be cautious when using it in casual conversation, as it can evoke strong emotions. Common collocations include 屠杀 (túshā - to massacre) and 屠夫 (túfū - butcher).
屠 or something close to it
屠 (tú, to butcher) vs 杀 (shā, to kill) — use 屠 specifically for butchering animals, whereas 杀 is more general for killing any living being.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 屠 with other similar characters like 杀, leading to incorrect usage. For instance, saying '我去屠动物' (I go to butcher animals) instead of '我去杀动物' (I go to kill animals) can sound overly dramatic.
Write 屠
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Practice writing 屠 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 屠
屠 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 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.
Complete the Sentence
在甲板上,一阵欢呼喧嚷过后,____宰开始了.
On the ship's deck, after the whoops and hollers, the butchering begins.
Example Sentences for 屠 (7)
Cultural Notes for 屠
The concept of butchering in Chinese culture is often viewed through a lens of practicality and survival, whereas in Western cultures, it can be more associated with ethical debates regarding animal rights.
Word Family of 屠
Compound Meaning
What does 屠杀 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 屠
While both mean 'to kill,' 屠 specifically refers to slaughtering animals or mass killings, whereas 杀 is more general and can refer to killing in various contexts.
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