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March 24, 2026
督dū(du1)
The character 督 (dū) primarily means to supervise or oversee tasks or activities, often in an authoritative capacity. It can also refer to a historical military title, denoting a supervisory role within the army. It is commonly used in contexts involving management, education, or governance.
Strokes13Radical目Frequency#5330DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese history, the role of a 督 (dū) was vital in maintaining order and discipline within military units, reflecting the importance of supervision in both historical and modern contexts. This concept is deeply rooted in Confucian values of hierarchy and responsibility.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'duke' (dū) wearing a large hat overseeing a busy market. The hat represents authority, while the market symbolizes the tasks being supervised. The character 督 visually resembles a person (the top part) overseeing something below (the bottom part), reinforcing the concept of supervision.
Meanings of 督
dū(du1)
1to supervise and direct
2army title (archaic)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 督
督Simplified
13Strokes
目Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#5330Frequency Rank
Podcast: 督
Podcast: 督
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AI Study Notes for 督
Quick Contrast
督 (dū) vs 监 (jiān) — use 督 when emphasizing supervisory authority, while 监 focuses more on monitoring or surveillance.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'duke' (dū) wearing a large hat overseeing a busy market. The hat represents authority, while the market symbolizes the tasks being supervised. The character 督 visually resembles a person (the top part) overseeing something below (the bottom part), reinforcing the concept of supervision.
Usage Notes
Learners should note that 督 is often used in formal contexts, such as in business or government. A common collocation is 督导 (dūdǎo), meaning to guide or supervise. Be careful with tone; mispronouncing it as 'dù' can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
Although 督 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects well with other HSK words related to supervision and management, such as 管理 (guǎnlǐ - management) and 指导 (zhǐdǎo - guidance). Students should focus on its usage in compound words and phrases.
Cultural Note
In Chinese history, the role of a 督 (dū) was vital in maintaining order and discipline within military units, reflecting the importance of supervision in both historical and modern contexts. This concept is deeply rooted in Confucian values of hierarchy and responsibility.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 督 with similar-sounding words like 杜 (dù), which means to stop or prevent. An incorrect example is using 督 to mean 'to stop' instead of 'to supervise'; the correct word in that context would be 杜.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 督
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Grammar Patterns of 督
督 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
科普特教会是最古老的基____教会之一。
The Coptic Church is among the oldest churches of Christianity.
I am not a religious fanatic but I am a Christian.
3
他们将孩子培养成了虔诚的基督教徒。
tā mén jiāng hái zǐ péi yǎng chéng le qián chéng de jī dū jiào tú。
They brought up their children to be God-fearing Christians.
4
他无视传统基督教的肉体与灵魂的二元论。
tā wú shì chuán tǒng jī dū jiào de ròu tǐ yǔ líng hún de èr yuán lùn。
He ignores the traditional Christian dualism between body and soul.
5
他通过几句有针对性的话不断督促着队伍。
tā tōng guò jī jù yǒu zhēn duì xìng de huà bù duàn dū cù zháo duì wǔ。
He chivvies the troops along with a few well-directed words.
6
她是个虔诚的基督徒，对工作全身心投入。
tā shì gè qián chéng de jī dū tú， ， duì gōng zuò quán shēn xīn tóu。
She was a very strict Christian who was married to her job.
7
在他漫长的一生中，他对基督教信仰始终是一种摇摆不定的态度。
zài tā màn cháng de yī shēng zhōng， ， tā duì jī dū jiào xìn yǎng shǐ zhōng shì yī zhǒng yáo bǎi bù dìng de tài。
He maintained an ambivalent attitude to the Church throughout his long life.
8
该杂志的宗旨是在基督教框架下讨论时下的热门话题。
gāi zá zhì de zōng zhǐ shì zài jī dū jiào kuàng jià xià tǎo lùn shí xià de rè mén huà tí。
The magazine's aim is to discuss topical issues within a Christian framework.
9
公元586年，圣肯蒂格恩使特威代尔郡皈依基督教。
gōng yuán586 586， nián ， shèng kěn dì gé ēn shǐ tè wēi dài ěr jùn guī yī jī。
In AD 586 St Kentigern evangelized Tweeddale.
10
他们在十分友好、洋溢着基督教徒助人为乐精神的气氛中分了手.
tā mén zài shí fēn yǒu hǎo、 、 yáng yì zháo jī dū jiào tú zhù rén wéi lè jīng shén de qì fēn zhōng fēn le.
They parted on a high plane of amity and Christian helpfulness.
Cultural Notes for 督
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese history, the role of a 督 (dū) was vital in maintaining order and discipline within military units, reflecting the importance of supervision in both historical and modern contexts. This concept is deeply rooted in Confucian values of hierarchy and responsibility.
