unknown, 16 strokes, radical 足, rank #37059, Very Hard
duó(duo2) T2
1to pace, to stroll, to walk slowly
2Taiwan pr. [duo4]
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
踱duó(duo2)
The character 踱 (duó) means to pace or stroll, often implying a leisurely or thoughtful manner of walking. It is commonly used in contexts where someone is walking back and forth, lost in thought, or simply enjoying a leisurely walk, often in a calm or reflective environment.
Strokes16Radical足Frequency#37059DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
Walking slowly or pacing can often be associated with meditation or reflection in Chinese culture, particularly in parks or gardens designed for contemplation, such as traditional Chinese gardens.
Memory Tip
Imagine a cat (the character's radical '足' meaning foot) pacing back and forth, pondering its next move. The sound 'duó' can remind you of 'door', as the cat paces near the door, contemplating whether to go outside or stay in.
Meanings of 踱
duó(duo2)
1to pace, to stroll, to walk slowly
2Taiwan pr. [duo4]
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 踱
踱Simplified
16Strokes
足Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 踱
Podcast: 踱
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 踱
Quick Contrast
徘徊 (páihuái) - use 踱 (duó) when emphasizing a leisurely pace, while 徘徊 (páihuái) suggests a more restless or anxious wandering.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a cat (the character's radical '足' meaning foot) pacing back and forth, pondering its next move. The sound 'duó' can remind you of 'door', as the cat paces near the door, contemplating whether to go outside or stay in.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 踱 with other walking verbs like 走 (zǒu), which means to walk or go in a more general sense. 踱 is more specific to a slow, thoughtful pace. In informal contexts, you might use it to describe a relaxed walk in the park.
HSK Study Tips
Although 踱 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects well with verbs related to movement, such as 走 (zǒu) and 跑 (pǎo). Focus on recognizing the context in which 踱 is used to enhance understanding of leisurely actions.
Cultural Note
Walking slowly or pacing can often be associated with meditation or reflection in Chinese culture, particularly in parks or gardens designed for contemplation, such as traditional Chinese gardens.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 踱 with the more general verb 走, using it in contexts where a brisk walk is intended. For example, saying '我踱去商店' (Wǒ duó qù shāngdiàn) should be corrected to '我走去商店' (Wǒ zǒu qù shāngdiàn) to indicate a faster pace.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 踱
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 踱 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 踱 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 踱
踱 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 2 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 5
Complete the Sentence
菲利普在地板上____来踱去，一副典型的神经紧张的准爸爸形象。
Philip paced the floor, a typically nervous expectant father.
Example Sentences for 踱 (7)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
菲利普在地板上踱来踱去，一副典型的神经紧张的准爸爸形象。
fēi lì pǔ zài dì bǎn shàng duó lái duó qù， ， yī fù diǎn xíng de shén jīng jǐn zhāng de zhǔn bà bà xíng。
Philip paced the floor, a typically nervous expectant father.
cóng qián miàn de xiàng lǐ duó jìn le nà fáng zǐ de mén, , biàn shì fáng zhǔ de zhù.
Coming in from the lane through the front door, one entered first the landlord's room.
Cultural Notes for 踱
🏮Cultural insight
Walking slowly or pacing can often be associated with meditation or reflection in Chinese culture, particularly in parks or gardens designed for contemplation, such as traditional Chinese gardens.
Word Family of 踱
Words Containing This Character3
踱步to pace
踱duóto stroll
踱方步to pace
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 踱步 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 踱
Yes, 踱 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it may appear more in literary or descriptive texts.
踱 specifically refers to pacing or strolling slowly, while 走 is a more general term for walking.
No, 踱 implies a slow and thoughtful manner of walking; for quick walking, you would use 走 or 奔 (bēn).
