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瀆 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
瀆dúditch, sluice, gutter, drainx, 18 strokes, radical 氵
dú(du2) T2
  1. 1ditch, sluice, gutter, drain
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

瀆dú(du2)

The character 瀆 (dú) refers to a ditch, sluice, gutter, or drain, essentially denoting a channel for water or waste. It is commonly used in contexts related to water management and sanitation, often describing structures that facilitate the flow of water or drainage systems. The character carries connotations of both utility and perhaps neglect, as ditches can sometimes be associated with filth or poor maintenance.

Strokes18Radical氵
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, proper drainage systems are essential for agriculture and urban planning, especially in regions prone to flooding. The concept of water management is deeply rooted in Chinese history, reflecting the importance of harmony between nature and human activity.

Memory Tip

Think of 瀆 (dú) as a 'dug' channel where water flows. The left side of the character, 水 (water), suggests its connection to liquid, while the right side, 独 (dú), sounds like the pronunciation. Imagine a 'dug' channel where water flows freely, helping you remember both the meaning and the sound.

Meanings of 瀆

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

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 瀆

瀆Simplified
18Strokes
氵Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 瀆

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Podcast: 瀆

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 瀆

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 瀆 with similar-sounding characters like 毒 (dú, poison) or 读 (dú, to read). This word is typically used in more formal or technical contexts, so it may not be suitable for casual conversations. Common collocations include phrases related to drainage systems or water management.

HSK Study Tips

Although 瀆 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is beneficial to recognize it alongside other water-related terms. Focus on understanding its radicals and components to aid in memorization and differentiation from similar characters. Additionally, learning related terms can enhance comprehension of environmental or infrastructural topics.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 瀆 with 毒 (dú), leading to incorrect interpretations. For example, saying 瀆水 (dú shuǐ) might mistakenly be understood as 'poison water' instead of 'drain water'. Always double-check the context to ensure clarity.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 瀆

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Etymology of 瀆

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)賣
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 瀆

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

  1. 1The meaning half氵 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half賣 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaywater
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 瀆? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 瀆?

Decomposition of 瀆

IDS Structure⿰氵賣
瀆Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
賣mai4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 瀆?

How to say ditch, sluice, gutter, drain in Chinese

“ditch, sluice, gutter, drain” in Chinese is瀆dú

The character 瀆 (dú) refers to a ditch, sluice, gutter, or drain, essentially denoting a channel for water or waste. It is commonly used in contexts related to water management and sanitation, often describing structures that facilitate the flow of water or drainage systems. The character carries connotations of both utility and perhaps neglect, as ditches can sometimes be associated with filth or poor maintenance.

When to use 瀆

Be cautious not to confuse 瀆 with similar-sounding characters like 毒 (dú, poison) or 读 (dú, to read). This word is typically used in more formal or technical contexts, so it may not be suitable for casual conversations. Common collocations include phrases related to drainage systems or water management.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 瀆 with 毒 (dú), leading to incorrect interpretations. For example, saying 瀆水 (dú shuǐ) might mistakenly be understood as 'poison water' instead of 'drain water'. Always double-check the context to ensure clarity.

Write 瀆

瀆

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 瀆

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 瀆

The correct pronunciation is 'dú', with a rising tone.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 瀆?

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