Meanings of 踱
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Podcast: 踱
Podcast: 踱
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AI study notes for 踱
徘徊 (páihuái) - use 踱 (duó) when emphasizing a leisurely pace, while 徘徊 (páihuái) suggests a more restless or anxious wandering.
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.
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.
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.
Pronunciation of 踱
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Etymology of 踱
Phonosemantic compound. 足 represents the meaning and 度 represents the sound.
foot
Origin
踱 = 足 + 度. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 踱
Parts
Which of these is part of 踱?
How to say to pace, to stroll, to walk slowly in Chinese
“to pace, to stroll, to walk slowly” in Chinese is踱
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.
When to use 踱
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.
踱 or something close to it
徘徊 (páihuái) - use 踱 (duó) when emphasizing a leisurely pace, while 徘徊 (páihuái) suggests a more restless or anxious wandering.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 踱
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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.
Fill the gap
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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)
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Word Family of 踱
Words with 踱
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.
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