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March 24, 2026
杜dù(Du4)
The character 杜 (dù) primarily serves as a Chinese surname, but it also means 'to stop' or 'to prevent'. It is commonly used in contexts involving restriction or prohibition, such as stopping an action or preventing something from happening.
Strokes7Radical木Frequency#3507DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The surname 杜 is relatively common in China, and notable historical figures have borne this name. Additionally, the concept of preventing harm or stopping negative influences is important in traditional Chinese philosophy, reflecting a cultural emphasis on harmony and balance.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sturdy tree (木) that stands tall and firm, preventing anything from passing through. The character 杜 has the tree radical, which is a reminder of its meaning related to stopping. You can visualize this tree as a guardian, standing against unwanted intruders.
Meanings of 杜
dù(Du4)
1birchleaf pear (tree)
2to stop
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 杜 means.
About 杜
杜Simplified
7Strokes
木Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#3507Frequency Rank
Podcast: 杜
Podcast: 杜
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AI Study Notes for 杜
Usage Notes
While 杜 is often used as a surname, beginners may confuse it with similar characters. Make sure to use it in contexts where prevention or restriction is clear to avoid ambiguity. Note that in formal writing, it may be preferred to use alternative phrases for 'to stop'.
HSK Study Tips
Although 杜 is not currently included in HSK levels, it is structurally simple and shares components with other characters. Focus on its usage in compound words and phrases, especially those associated with prevention.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 杜 with similar-sounding characters. For instance, saying 杜 as 'dū' instead of 'dù' can change the meaning entirely. Always double-check your tones to ensure clarity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 杜
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How Well Do You Know 杜?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 杜 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
杜 = 木 + 土. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 杜
IDS Structure⿰木土
杜Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
土Tu3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 杜?
How to say surname Du in Chinese
“surname Du” in Chinese is杜dù
The character 杜 (dù) primarily serves as a Chinese surname, but it also means 'to stop' or 'to prevent'. It is commonly used in contexts involving restriction or prohibition, such as stopping an action or preventing something from happening.
When to use 杜
While 杜 is often used as a surname, beginners may confuse it with similar characters. Make sure to use it in contexts where prevention or restriction is clear to avoid ambiguity. Note that in formal writing, it may be preferred to use alternative phrases for 'to stop'.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 杜 with similar-sounding characters. For instance, saying 杜 as 'dū' instead of 'dù' can change the meaning entirely. Always double-check your tones to ensure clarity.
Write 杜
杜
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Practice writing 杜 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 杜
杜 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 6 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
这对于____鲁门来说似乎是一项特别不明智的事业。
It seemed a singularly ill-judged enterprise for Truman to undertake.
