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March 24, 2026
屠tú(Tu2)
The character 屠 (tú) primarily means 'to butcher' or 'to slaughter,' often in the context of animals for food. It can also refer to mass killings or massacres, carrying a strong and negative connotation. Commonly used in contexts related to both agriculture and historical events involving violence.
Strokes11Radical尸Frequency#11580DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese history, 屠 has been associated with significant events of violence and war, such as the Nanjing Massacre, making it a term that carries historical weight. The character reflects the harsh realities of survival and the agricultural practices in ancient times.
Memory Tip
Imagine a butcher in a traditional market, wielding a large knife over a table of freshly slaughtered meat. The character 屠 resembles a roof (亻) over a person (屮), suggesting a person working in a place of slaughter. The pronunciation 'tú' sounds like 'two' – think of two butchers working together.
Meanings of 屠
tú(Tu2)
1to butcher, to slaughter; massacre
2to massacre
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About 屠
屠Simplified
11Strokes
尸Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
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Podcast: 屠
Podcast: 屠
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AI Study Notes for 屠
Quick Contrast
屠 (tú, to butcher) vs 杀 (shā, to kill) — use 屠 specifically for butchering animals, whereas 杀 is more general for killing any living being.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a butcher in a traditional market, wielding a large knife over a table of freshly slaughtered meat. The character 屠 resembles a roof (亻) over a person (屮), suggesting a person working in a place of slaughter. The pronunciation 'tú' sounds like 'two' – think of two butchers working together.
Usage Notes
This character is generally used in more formal or historical contexts due to its serious implications. Be cautious when using it in casual conversation, as it can evoke strong emotions. Common collocations include 屠杀 (túshā - to massacre) and 屠夫 (túfū - butcher).
HSK Study Tips
Although 屠 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with verbs related to actions (like 'to kill' 杀, shā) and can be beneficial for understanding more complex texts. Students should focus on recognizing its use in literary and historical contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese history, 屠 has been associated with significant events of violence and war, such as the Nanjing Massacre, making it a term that carries historical weight. The character reflects the harsh realities of survival and the agricultural practices in ancient times.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 屠 with other similar characters like 杀, leading to incorrect usage. For instance, saying '我去屠动物' (I go to butcher animals) instead of '我去杀动物' (I go to kill animals) can sound overly dramatic.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 屠
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Grammar Patterns of 屠
屠 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 3 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
在甲板上,一阵欢呼喧嚷过后,____宰开始了.
On the ship's deck, after the whoops and hollers, the butchering begins.
wǒ qīn yǎn mù dǔ zhè cháng tú shā, , zhēn xià dé máo fā dǎo.
I'm really terrified to witness the slaughter.
Cultural Notes for 屠
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese history, 屠 has been associated with significant events of violence and war, such as the Nanjing Massacre, making it a term that carries historical weight. The character reflects the harsh realities of survival and the agricultural practices in ancient times.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
The concept of butchering in Chinese culture is often viewed through a lens of practicality and survival, whereas in Western cultures, it can be more associated with ethical debates regarding animal rights.
While both mean 'to kill,' 屠 specifically refers to slaughtering animals or mass killings, whereas 杀 is more general and can refer to killing in various contexts.
It's best to avoid using 屠 in casual conversations due to its serious implications; it is more appropriate in historical or formal discussions.
Common phrases include 屠杀 (to massacre) and 屠夫 (butcher), which highlight its usage in both violent and everyday contexts.
