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铎 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
duóbell; surnamenr, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #25201, Hard
duósurname Duounknown, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #25201, Hard
duó(Duo2) T2
  1. 1bell; surname
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March 24, 2026
(鐸)duó(Duo2)

The character 铎 (duó) primarily means 'bell' and is often associated with ceremonial or significant bells used in traditional Chinese contexts. It can also serve as a surname, though this usage is less common than its meaning as a bell. In contexts of traditional music or rituals, it signifies a specific type of bell that carries cultural significance.

Strokes10RadicalFrequency#25201DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, bells like the 铎 are often used in festivals and ceremonies, symbolizing luck and the calling of spirits. They are an essential part of traditional music ensembles, particularly in temple settings.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large, shiny bell made of metal (the radical '金' for metal) ringing out melodious sounds, which helps you remember that 铎 means 'bell.' The pronunciation 'duó' can be remembered by picturing a bell that you 'draw' attention to when it rings loudly.

Meanings of 铎

duó(Duo2)
1bell; surname
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 铎

Simplified
Traditional
10Strokes
Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 铎

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AI Study Notes for 铎

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a large, shiny bell made of metal (the radical '金' for metal) ringing out melodious sounds, which helps you remember that 铎 means 'bell.' The pronunciation 'duó' can be remembered by picturing a bell that you 'draw' attention to when it rings loudly.

Usage Notes

When using 铎 in sentences, be aware that it is more formal and is often found in literary or historical texts. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding characters or using it in casual conversation, where simpler terms might be preferred. Ensure the tone is accurate, as it is pronounced with a rising tone.

HSK Study Tips

Although 铎 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, learners at this level can connect it to related terms, like 钟 (zhōng, clock/bell) and 音 (yīn, sound). Focus on understanding its use in cultural contexts rather than its frequency in everyday conversation.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, bells like the 铎 are often used in festivals and ceremonies, symbolizing luck and the calling of spirits. They are an essential part of traditional music ensembles, particularly in temple settings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 铎 with similar characters like 错 (cuò) or 夺 (duó) due to similar pronunciation. A common mistake is using the wrong tone, saying 'duo' instead of 'duó,' which can change the meaning entirely.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 铎

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Etymology of 铎

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

bell

Semantic (meaning)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 铎?

Decomposition of 铎

IDS Structure⿰钅?
Full Character
=
jin1
left
Exercise 1 of 1

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 铎?

Write 铎

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

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Grammar Patterns of 铎

铎 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). 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 3

Complete the Sentence

他于1982年被任命为天主教司____。

He was ordained a Catholic priest in

Example Sentences for 铎 (2)

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1
他于1982年被任命为天主教司铎。

tā yú1982 1982 nián bèi rèn mìng wéi tiān zhǔ jiào sī。

He was ordained a Catholic priest in
2
跟我们都铎风格的房间比起来,这个房间显得素雅而大气。

gēn wǒ mén dū duó fēng gé de fáng jiān bǐ qǐ lái, , zhè gè fáng jiān xiǎn dé sù yǎ ér dà。

The room was light and lofty compared with our Tudor ones.

Cultural Notes for 铎

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, bells like the 铎 are often used in festivals and ceremonies, symbolizing luck and the calling of spirits. They are an essential part of traditional music ensembles, particularly in temple settings.

Word Family of 铎

Words Containing This Character2
duósurname Duo
司铎priest司鐸
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 铎 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 铎

The main use of 铎 is to refer to a specific type of ceremonial or significant bell in traditional contexts.