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March 24, 2026
徒tú(Tu2)
The character 徒 (tú) primarily means 'disciple' or 'apprentice,' referring to someone who is learning from a master or mentor. It can also denote being 'on foot' or 'bare/empty,' often used in contexts that imply a lack of something or doing something to no avail. The term can carry both a formal tone when discussing teachings and a more casual tone in everyday conversation.
Strokes10Radical彳Frequency#8835DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of a disciple (徒) is deeply tied to Confucian teachings, where students are expected to learn humbly under their masters. This reflects the value placed on mentorship and the transmission of knowledge.
Memory Tip
Imagine a student (徒) walking on foot (the 'foot' radical) towards a wise master. The student is empty-handed, symbolizing the idea that they are merely a disciple with nothing yet learned. The sound 'tú' can remind you of 'two' feet walking, emphasizing the concept of being on foot.
Meanings of 徒
tú(Tu2)
1disciple
2apprentice
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 徒
徒Simplified
10Strokes
彳Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#8835Frequency Rank
Podcast: 徒
Podcast: 徒
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AI Study Notes for 徒
Quick Contrast
徒 (tú, disciple) vs 学徒 (xué tú, apprentice) — use 徒 for a broader or more formal sense of a disciple, while 学徒 specifically refers to someone in a training position.
Usage Notes
Avoid confusing 徒 with similar characters like 徒弟 (túdì), which specifically refers to a disciple in a master-apprentice relationship. While generally neutral, the context can be formal or informal, so be mindful of your audience. The tone is important; mispronouncing it could change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Though 徒 is not part of HSK vocabulary, it shares roots with other words such as 徒弟 (túdì) and 徒步 (túbù). Focus on its usage in phrases and compounds to understand its application better, as it often appears in contexts involving learning or walking.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 徒 with 徒弟 (túdì), mistakenly using it to refer to a mentor instead of a disciple. Remember, 徒 refers to the learner, while 徒弟 specifically denotes the relationship with a master.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 徒
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2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
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Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 徒?
Decomposition of 徒
IDS Structure⿰彳走
徒Full Character
=
彳chi4
left
走zou3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 徒?
How to say disciple in Chinese
“disciple” in Chinese is徒tú
The character 徒 (tú) primarily means 'disciple' or 'apprentice,' referring to someone who is learning from a master or mentor. It can also denote being 'on foot' or 'bare/empty,' often used in contexts that imply a lack of something or doing something to no avail. The term can carry both a formal tone when discussing teachings and a more casual tone in everyday conversation.
When to use 徒
Avoid confusing 徒 with similar characters like 徒弟 (túdì), which specifically refers to a disciple in a master-apprentice relationship. While generally neutral, the context can be formal or informal, so be mindful of your audience. The tone is important; mispronouncing it could change the meaning.
徒 or something close to it
徒 (tú, disciple) vs 学徒 (xué tú, apprentice) — use 徒 for a broader or more formal sense of a disciple, while 学徒 specifically refers to someone in a training position.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 徒 with 徒弟 (túdì), mistakenly using it to refer to a mentor instead of a disciple. Remember, 徒 refers to the learner, while 徒弟 specifically denotes the relationship with a master.
Write 徒
徒
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Grammar Patterns of 徒
徒 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 10 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.
