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渎 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
渎dúditch, sluice, gutter, drainvn, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #23238, Hard
渎dúdisrespectfulunknown, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #23238, Hard
渎dú(literary) ditchunknown, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #23238, Hard
dú(du2) T2
  1. 1ditch, sluice, gutter, drain
  2. 2disrespectful
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
渎(瀆)dú(du2)

The character 渎 (dú) primarily refers to a ditch, sluice, or drain, often associated with water flow. In a literary context, it can also denote a disrespectful attitude or act. This dual meaning reflects both physical and metaphorical depths, where one can 'drain' respect or honor.

Strokes11Radical氵Frequency#23238DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese literature, the concept of disrespect can be tied to historical figures who faced disgrace, often linked to the imagery of water and its flow, symbolizing loss of honor or status.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'dug' ditch filled with water, where disrespect flows like water spilling over the edges. The sound 'dú' resembles 'dug', connecting the image of a ditch with its pronunciation.

Meanings of 渎

dú(du2)
1ditch, sluice, gutter, drain
2disrespectful
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 渎

渎Simplified
瀆Traditional
11Strokes
氵Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 渎

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Podcast: 渎

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AI Study Notes for 渎

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'dug' ditch filled with water, where disrespect flows like water spilling over the edges. The sound 'dú' resembles 'dug', connecting the image of a ditch with its pronunciation.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 渎 with similar-sounding characters, leading to misunderstandings in meaning. This character is more formal and literary, so it's best used in written contexts rather than everyday conversation. Be cautious with tone pronunciation; 'dú' should not be pronounced as 'dǔ'.

HSK Study Tips

While 渎 is not listed in HSK vocabulary, it offers a connection to other HSK words related to water and disrespect, such as 水 (water) and 不尊重 (disrespect). Focus on the context in which 渎 is used to enhance understanding of its nuanced meanings.

Cultural Note

In Chinese literature, the concept of disrespect can be tied to historical figures who faced disgrace, often linked to the imagery of water and its flow, symbolizing loss of honor or status.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mix up 渎 with 渡 (dù), which means to cross or ferry. For example, saying '我在渎河对岸' (I am on the other side of the 渎 river) is incorrect; it should be '渡河' (cross the river).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 渎

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Etymology of 渎

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 卖 represents the sound. Simplified form of 瀆.

Memory Hint

water

Semantic (meaning)氵
+
Phonetic (sound)卖
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 渎?

Decomposition of 渎

IDS Structure⿰氵卖
渎Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
卖mai4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 渎?

Write 渎

渎

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

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Grammar Patterns of 渎

渎 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 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

这位下院议员称这些谋杀是在上帝面前的公然亵____。

The MP described the killings as a blasphemy before God.

Example Sentences for 渎 (4)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这位下院议员称这些谋杀是在上帝面前的公然亵渎。

zhè wèi xià yuàn yì yuán chēng zhè xiē móu shā shì zài shàng dì miàn qián de gōng rán xiè dú。

The MP described the killings as a blasphemy before God.
2
这样的人很容易被人抨击为亵渎神明。

zhè yàng de rén hěn róng yì bèi rén pēng jī wéi xiè dú shén míng。

Such a figure is liable to be attacked as a blasphemer.
3
很多教堂都被洗劫一空，而且作出了诸多渎神之举。

hěn duō jiào táng dū bèi xǐ jié yī kōng， ， ér qiě zuò chū le zhū duō dú shén zhī。

A number of churches were sacked and sacrilegious acts committed.
4
你刚刚听到他那番亵渎上帝的话了!

nǐ gāng gāng tīng dào tā nà fān xiè dú shàng dì de huà le!

You have just heard his blasphemy!

Cultural Notes for 渎

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese literature, the concept of disrespect can be tied to historical figures who faced disgrace, often linked to the imagery of water and its flow, symbolizing loss of honor or status.

Word Family of 渎

Words Containing This Character3
亵渎to blaspheme褻瀆
渎职wrongdoing瀆職
渎dúdisrespectful瀆
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 亵渎 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 渎

No, 渎 is more commonly found in literary or formal writing rather than in casual speech.