unknown, 8 strokes, radical 马, rank #16217, Very Hard
tuó(tuo2) T2
1camel; humpback; to carry on one's back
2hump or hunchbacked
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March 24, 2026
驼(駝)tuó(tuo2)
驼 (tuó) primarily means 'camel,' a large, domesticated animal known for its ability to carry heavy loads across deserts. It can also refer to a humped back or someone who is hunchbacked, highlighting its use in describing physical characteristics. In contexts of transport or carrying, it can imply the action of bearing a load on one's back.
Strokes8Radical马Frequency#16217DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, camels are often associated with trade along the Silk Road, representing endurance and the ability to traverse harsh environments. This historical significance adds depth to the character's meaning.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'tall' camel that has a 't' shape with its humped back. The '驼' character can be envisioned as a camel (the radical '马' representing horse/camel) carrying a heavy load on its back, helping you connect the character's form to its meaning.
Meanings of 驼
tuó(tuo2)
1camel; humpback; to carry on one's back
2hump or hunchbacked
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 驼
驼Simplified
駝Traditional
8Strokes
马Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 驼
Podcast: 驼
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AI Study Notes for 驼
Quick Contrast
骆 (luò) - use 驼 (tuó) for 'camel' specifically when referring to its humped back, while 骆 (luò) can refer to the broader category of camels.
Usage Notes
When using 驼, be cautious of its formality; it is somewhat neutral but can lean towards literary contexts. Common collocations include 驼峰 (tuófēng, camel's hump) and 驼背 (tuóbèi, hunchback). Remember that pronunciation is crucial, as misplacing tones can lead to confusion with unrelated words.
HSK Study Tips
Although 驼 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects with HSK 3 words like 背 (bēi, to carry) and 骑 (qí, to ride), which may help learners associate these concepts. Focusing on the radicals and components in the character can aid in expanding vocabulary related to animals and physical attributes.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 驼 with other characters due to similar pronunciation or tones. For instance, saying 'tuǒ' instead of 'tuó' can lead to misunderstandings, as 'tuǒ' (妥) means 'proper' or 'settled'. Always double-check the tone when practicing.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 驼
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Phonosemantic compound. 马 represents the meaning and 它 represents the sound. Simplified form of 駝.
1The meaning half马 carries the sense.
2The sound half它 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayhorse
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 驼? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 驼?
Decomposition of 驼
IDS Structure⿰马它
驼Full Character
=
马Ma3
left
它ta1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 驼?
How to say camel; humpback; to carry on one's back in Chinese
“camel; humpback; to carry on one's back” in Chinese is驼tuó
驼 (tuó) primarily means 'camel,' a large, domesticated animal known for its ability to carry heavy loads across deserts. It can also refer to a humped back or someone who is hunchbacked, highlighting its use in describing physical characteristics. In contexts of transport or carrying, it can imply the action of bearing a load on one's back.
When to use 驼
When using 驼, be cautious of its formality; it is somewhat neutral but can lean towards literary contexts. Common collocations include 驼峰 (tuófēng, camel's hump) and 驼背 (tuóbèi, hunchback). Remember that pronunciation is crucial, as misplacing tones can lead to confusion with unrelated words.
驼 or something close to it
骆 (luò) - use 驼 (tuó) for 'camel' specifically when referring to its humped back, while 骆 (luò) can refer to the broader category of camels.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 驼 with other characters due to similar pronunciation or tones. For instance, saying 'tuǒ' instead of 'tuó' can lead to misunderstandings, as 'tuǒ' (妥) means 'proper' or 'settled'. Always double-check the tone when practicing.
Write 驼
驼
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Practice writing 驼 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 驼
驼 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 4
Complete the Sentence
他是个瘦高个儿，有点____背。
He was a tall, thin fellow with a slight stoop.
Example Sentences for 驼 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他是个瘦高个儿，有点驼背。
tā shì gè shòu gāo gè ér， ， yǒu diǎn tuó。
He was a tall, thin fellow with a slight stoop.
2
锡西不仅驼背，而且又矮又胖。
xī xī bù jǐn tuó bèi， ， ér qiě yòu ǎi yòu。
Cissie was round-shouldered and dumpy.
3
他们必须找食物喂饱这些动物(骆驼), 否则它们就会死掉.
tā mén bì xū zhǎo shí wù wèi bǎo zhè xiē dòng wù( ( luò), tuó ), fǒu zé tā mén jiù huì.
They must find food for the animals, or the animals will die.
4
骆驼的蹄子虽然非常适合于在干沙上行走，碰到泥泞时却无计可施。
luò tuó de tí zǐ suī rán fēi cháng shì hé yú zài gān shā shàng háng zǒu， ， pèng dào ní nìng shí què wú jì kě。
The camel's feet, well adapted for dry sand, are useless on mud.
5
那只美洲驼有一只腿瘸.
nà zhī měi zhōu tuó yǒu yī zhī tuǐ qué.
The llama has a lame leg.
6
驼鸟是双腿跑得最快的动物.
tuó niǎo shì shuāng tuǐ pǎo dé zuì kuài de dòng wù.
