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阇 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
阇dūa Buddhist high priestn, 11 strokes, radical 门
阇dūdefensive platform over gateunknown, 11 strokes, radical 门
阇dū(used in Buddhist transliteration)unknown, 11 strokes, radical 门
阇dūbarbicanunknown, 11 strokes, radical 门
阇shéa Buddhist high priestn, 11 strokes, radical 门
阇shédefensive platform over gateunknown, 11 strokes, radical 门
阇shé(used in Buddhist transliteration)unknown, 11 strokes, radical 门
阇shébarbicanunknown, 11 strokes, radical 门
dū(du1)du
primary
T1
  1. 1a Buddhist high priest
  2. 2defensive platform over gate
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March 24, 2026

阇(闍)dū(du1)

The character 阇 (dū) primarily refers to a Buddhist high priest or a title of respect within the Buddhist context. It can also denote a defensive structure, such as a platform or barbican, often found in ancient fortifications. In usage, it is most frequently encountered in religious texts or discussions related to Buddhism.

Strokes11Radical门
Cultural Note

In Chinese Buddhism, titles and rank are often significant, and 阇 reflects the deep respect for religious leaders. This character signifies not just a position but also a connection to the history and structure of Buddhist communities in China.

Memory Tip

Imagine a high priest standing on a defensive platform overlooking a city. The top of the gate, where the priest oversees everything, looks like a roof (阝, the radical for 'gate'), while 'dū' sounds like 'do' — he 'does' his duty by protecting and guiding the community.

Meanings of 阇

dū(du1)
primary
1a Buddhist high priest
2defensive platform over gate
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 阇

阇Simplified
闍Traditional
11Strokes
门Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 阇

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AI Study Notes for 阇

Usage Notes

This character is rarely used in everyday conversation and is more common in religious or historical texts. Be cautious with its pronunciation, as it can be confused with similar-sounding words. Common collocations include terms related to Buddhist hierarchy or architectural features.

HSK Study Tips

Since 阇 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, learners at this level should focus on understanding its context within Buddhist studies. Connecting it to other religious terms may help reinforce vocabulary related to spiritual practices.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 阇 with similar characters like 遮 (zhē), which means 'to cover', leading to incorrect usage. Always remember that 阇 is specific to religious contexts, while 遮 is more general.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 阇

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Etymology of 阇

Decomposition of 阇

IDS Structure⿵门者
阇Full Character
=
门Men2
enclosing
者zhe3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

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How to say a Buddhist high priest in Chinese

“a Buddhist high priest” in Chinese is阇dū

The character 阇 (dū) primarily refers to a Buddhist high priest or a title of respect within the Buddhist context. It can also denote a defensive structure, such as a platform or barbican, often found in ancient fortifications. In usage, it is most frequently encountered in religious texts or discussions related to Buddhism.

When to use 阇

This character is rarely used in everyday conversation and is more common in religious or historical texts. Be cautious with its pronunciation, as it can be confused with similar-sounding words. Common collocations include terms related to Buddhist hierarchy or architectural features.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 阇 with similar characters like 遮 (zhē), which means 'to cover', leading to incorrect usage. Always remember that 阇 is specific to religious contexts, while 遮 is more general.

Write 阇

阇

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

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Word Family of 阇

Words Containing This Character1
阇dūbarbican闍

Frequently Asked Questions about 阇

In a religious context, 阇 refers to a high-ranking Buddhist priest, often involved in teaching and guiding followers.

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