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March 24, 2026
徒tú(Tu2)
The character 徒 (tú) primarily means 'disciple' or 'apprentice,' referring to someone who is learning from a master or mentor. It can also denote being 'on foot' or 'bare/empty,' often used in contexts that imply a lack of something or doing something to no avail. The term can carry both a formal tone when discussing teachings and a more casual tone in everyday conversation.
Strokes10Radical彳Frequency#8835DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of a disciple (徒) is deeply tied to Confucian teachings, where students are expected to learn humbly under their masters. This reflects the value placed on mentorship and the transmission of knowledge.
Memory Tip
Imagine a student (徒) walking on foot (the 'foot' radical) towards a wise master. The student is empty-handed, symbolizing the idea that they are merely a disciple with nothing yet learned. The sound 'tú' can remind you of 'two' feet walking, emphasizing the concept of being on foot.
Meanings of 徒
tú(Tu2)
1disciple
2apprentice
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 徒
徒Simplified
10Strokes
彳Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#8835Frequency Rank
Podcast: 徒
Podcast: 徒
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AI Study Notes for 徒
Quick Contrast
徒 (tú, disciple) vs 学徒 (xué tú, apprentice) — use 徒 for a broader or more formal sense of a disciple, while 学徒 specifically refers to someone in a training position.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a student (徒) walking on foot (the 'foot' radical) towards a wise master. The student is empty-handed, symbolizing the idea that they are merely a disciple with nothing yet learned. The sound 'tú' can remind you of 'two' feet walking, emphasizing the concept of being on foot.
Usage Notes
Avoid confusing 徒 with similar characters like 徒弟 (túdì), which specifically refers to a disciple in a master-apprentice relationship. While generally neutral, the context can be formal or informal, so be mindful of your audience. The tone is important; mispronouncing it could change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Though 徒 is not part of HSK vocabulary, it shares roots with other words such as 徒弟 (túdì) and 徒步 (túbù). Focus on its usage in phrases and compounds to understand its application better, as it often appears in contexts involving learning or walking.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of a disciple (徒) is deeply tied to Confucian teachings, where students are expected to learn humbly under their masters. This reflects the value placed on mentorship and the transmission of knowledge.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 徒 with 徒弟 (túdì), mistakenly using it to refer to a mentor instead of a disciple. Remember, 徒 refers to the learner, while 徒弟 specifically denotes the relationship with a master.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 徒
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Grammar Patterns of 徒
徒 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 10 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.
I was shocked at the audacity and brazenness of the gangsters.
5
去年12月他们追捕到其中一名匪徒并将其击毙。
qù nián12 12 yuè tā mén zhuī bǔ dào qí zhōng yī míng fěi tú bìng jiāng qí jī。
Last December they hunted down and killed one of the gangsters.
6
一伙暴徒捣毁了警察设置的路障冲进法庭。
yī huǒ bào tú dǎo huǐ le jǐng chá shè zhì de lù zhàng chōng jìn fǎ tíng。
An unruly mob broke down police barricades and stormed the courtroom.
7
持枪歹徒朝天扫射了一排子弹。
chí qiāng dǎi tú zhāo tiān sǎo shè le yī pái zǐ dàn。
A gunman fired off a volley of shots into the air.
8
持枪歹徒坐上一辆由同伙驾驶的摩托车逃逸。
chí qiāng dǎi tú zuò shàng yī liàng yóu tóng huǒ jià shǐ de mó tuō chē táo yì。
The gunman escaped on a motorcycle being ridden by an accomplice.
9
持枪歹徒不慌不忙地走开，坐上一辆等候的汽车逃走了。
chí qiāng dǎi tú bù huāng bù máng dì zǒu kāi， ， zuò shàng yī liàng děng hòu de qì chē táo zǒu。
The gunmen calmly walked away and escaped in a waiting car.
10
他最近才皈依天主教，是一名狂热的信徒。
tā zuì jìn cái guī yī tiān zhǔ jiào， ， shì yī míng kuáng rè de xìn。
He was a recent Catholic convert, and very zealous.
Cultural Notes for 徒
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of a disciple (徒) is deeply tied to Confucian teachings, where students are expected to learn humbly under their masters. This reflects the value placed on mentorship and the transmission of knowledge.
Word Family of 徒
Compounds1
蓗
Words Containing This Character20
叛徒traitor
歹徒dǎitúevildoer
徒túdisciple
有期徒刑limited term of imprisonment (i.e. anything less than life imprisonment)
信徒believer
徒弟túdìapprentice
徒步túbùto be on foot
教徒disciple
基督徒Christian
学徒apprentice學徒
暴徒bandit
异教徒heathen異教徒
赌徒gambler賭徒
天主教徒Catholic
门徒disciple門徒
徒劳futile徒勞
匪徒gangster
无期徒刑life imprisonment無期徒刑
圣徒saint聖徒
师徒master and disciple師徒
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 叛徒 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 徒
Common phrases include 徒弟 (túdì - disciple/apprentice) and 徒步 (túbù - on foot), which illustrate its versatility.
徒 can be used in both contexts, but it tends to be more formal when discussing discipleship or teaching.
No, 徒 typically implies a student or follower; for someone not learning, other terms would be more appropriate.
