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舵 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
舵
duò
helm, rudder
n, 11 strokes, radical 舟, rank #10892, Very Hard
duò(duo4)duo T4
1helm, rudder
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
舵duò(duo4)
The character 舵 (duò) refers to a helm or rudder, which is a crucial component for steering a boat or ship. It is commonly used in nautical contexts, particularly when discussing navigation and sailing. Understanding this term is essential for learners interested in maritime activities or terminology.
Strokes11Radical舟Frequency#10892DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese maritime culture, the concept of 舵 is vital, as China has a rich history of seafaring. The use of traditional sailing techniques and modern navigation systems highlights the importance of the rudder in Chinese naval history.
Memory tip
Imagine a large ship with a captain at the helm (舵). The character has a boat (舟) at the bottom, reminding you of its connection to sailing, while the top part can resemble the steering wheel. Picture the captain confidently steering the ship through the waves, emphasizing the importance of the 舵.
Meanings of 舵
duò(duo4)
1helm, rudder
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 舵 means.
About 舵
舵Simplified
11Strokes
舟Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 舵
Podcast: 舵
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AI study notes for 舵
Quick Contrast
舵 (duò) vs 方向舵 (fāngxiàng duò) — use 舵 for general reference to a helm, while 方向舵 specifies a rudder for directional steering.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 舵 with similar terms like 轮 (lún), which means wheel. This word is used in more formal or technical contexts, so it's best suited for discussions about navigation rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include 舵手 (duò shǒu), meaning helmsman, and 舵机 (duò jī), meaning rudder device.
HSK Study Tips
While 舵 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects to HSK 3 vocabulary related to transportation and travel. Students should focus on recognizing the character in context, especially in maritime discussions, to enhance their understanding of navigation-related terms.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 舵 with 轮 (lún), leading to incorrect phrases like 舵车 (duò chē), which means 'wheel vehicle' instead of the intended 'ship's helm.' Remember that 舵 specifically relates to steering in watercraft.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 舵
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 舵 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
舵 = 舟 + 它. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 舵
IDS Structure⿰舟它
舵Full character
=
舟zhou1
left
它ta1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 舵?
How to say helm, rudder in Chinese
“helm, rudder” in Chinese is舵duò
The character 舵 (duò) refers to a helm or rudder, which is a crucial component for steering a boat or ship. It is commonly used in nautical contexts, particularly when discussing navigation and sailing. Understanding this term is essential for learners interested in maritime activities or terminology.
When to use 舵
Be cautious not to confuse 舵 with similar terms like 轮 (lún), which means wheel. This word is used in more formal or technical contexts, so it's best suited for discussions about navigation rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include 舵手 (duò shǒu), meaning helmsman, and 舵机 (duò jī), meaning rudder device.
舵 or something close to it
舵 (duò) vs 方向舵 (fāngxiàng duò) — use 舵 for general reference to a helm, while 方向舵 specifies a rudder for directional steering.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 舵 with 轮 (lún), leading to incorrect phrases like 舵车 (duò chē), which means 'wheel vehicle' instead of the intended 'ship's helm.' Remember that 舵 specifically relates to steering in watercraft.
Write 舵
舵
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Practice writing 舵 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 舵
舵 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
还不清楚船____是如何断裂的。
It was not yet clear how the rudder had sheared off.
Example sentences for 舵 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
还不清楚船舵是如何断裂的。
hái bù qīngchu chuán duò shì rúhé duànliè de。
It was not yet clear how the rudder had sheared off.
2
他急速打着舵轮，把我们搞得摇来晃去的。
tā jí sù dǎ zhe duò lún， bǎ wǒmen gǎo de yáo lái huǎng qù de。
He spun the steering-wheel so that we yawed from side to side.
3
当碰撞发生时,谁在掌舵?
dāng pèngzhuàng fāshēng shí, shéi zài zhǎngduò?
Who was at the helm when the collision occurred?
4
老舵手掉转了船的航向,我们才避免了一次撞击礁石的危险.
lǎo duòshǒu diào zhuǎi le chuán de háng xiàng, wǒmen cái bìmiǎn le yī cì zhuàngjī jiāoshí de wēixiǎn.
The old helmsman brought us about and we avoided a dangerous dash against the rocks.
5
风浪里试舵手, 困难中识英雄.
fēnglàng lǐ shì duòshǒu, kùnnan zhōng shí yīngxióng.
A helmsman is tested in a rough sea; a hero is distinguished in difficult circumstances.
6
舵手拨转船头.
duòshǒu bō zhuǎi chuán tóu.
The helmsman brought the ship about.
7
转舵背 [ 迎 ] 风开!
zhuǎi duò bēi [ yíng ] fēng kāi!
Down [ Up ] with the helm!
8
当虚弱男子跪在钢舵轮上时他的脚跟和双膝感到疼痛。
dāng xūruò nánzǐ guì zài gāng duò lún shàng shí tā de jiǎo gēn hé shuāng xī gǎndào téngtòng。
The feeble man feels an ache on his heels and knees when he kneels on the steel steering wheel.
