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March 24, 2026
独(獨)dú(du2)
The character 独 (dú) primarily means 'alone' or 'independent.' It is often used to describe someone who stands out by themselves, such as in the context of being the only one of a kind or doing something solo. This character conveys a sense of solitude or uniqueness in various contexts.
Strokes9Radical犭Frequency#4784DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 独 (dú) can often be viewed positively, associated with strength and self-reliance rather than the negative implications of loneliness. This concept is reflected in literature and philosophy, where solitary figures are often portrayed as wise or enlightened.
Memory Tip
Imagine a lone wolf (the radical 狼 is related to dogs and wolves) standing independently on a mountain peak, howling to express its solitude. The pronunciation 'dú' sounds like 'do' in English, which can remind you of doing things alone.
Meanings of 独
dú(du2)
1alone
2independent
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 独
独Simplified
獨Traditional
9Strokes
犭Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#4784Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 独
Podcast: 独
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AI Study Notes for 独
Quick Contrast
孤 (gū) - use 独 (dú) when emphasizing independence or uniqueness, while 孤 (gū) focuses on loneliness or being isolated.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a lone wolf (the radical 狼 is related to dogs and wolves) standing independently on a mountain peak, howling to express its solitude. The pronunciation 'dú' sounds like 'do' in English, which can remind you of doing things alone.
Usage Notes
When using 独, it's important to be aware of its connotation of solitude, which can sometimes feel negative or lonely. Avoid confusing it with similar terms like 单独 (dāndú), which specifically means 'alone' in a more neutral context. It is used in both formal and informal settings, but care should be taken with tone to avoid misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
While 独 is not in the official HSK vocabulary lists, it is a useful character to know for expressing independence or solitude. Students should connect it to other related words, such as 单 (dān - single) and 独立 (dúlì - independence) to deepen their understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 独 (dú) can often be viewed positively, associated with strength and self-reliance rather than the negative implications of loneliness. This concept is reflected in literature and philosophy, where solitary figures are often portrayed as wise or enlightened.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 独 with similar characters, such as 单 (dān), leading to incorrect phrases like '独一个' (dú yī gè) instead of '单独一个' (dāndú yī gè) for 'alone.' Ensure you use the appropriate term based on the context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 独
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Grammar Patterns of 独
独 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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.
The crisis has set off a wave of nationalist feelings in Quebec.
9
他的小号演奏独创一格。
tā de xiǎo hào yǎn zòu dú chuàng yī gé。
His playing as a trumpet player was quite revolutionary.
10
我们试图让独木舟靠他更近一些。
wǒ mén shì tú ràng dú mù zhōu kào tā gēng jìn yī xiē。
We attempted to manoeuvre the canoe closer to him.
Cultural Notes for 独
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, being 独 (dú) can often be viewed positively, associated with strength and self-reliance rather than the negative implications of loneliness. This concept is reflected in literature and philosophy, where solitary figures are often portrayed as wise or enlightened.
Word Family of 独
Words Containing This Character20
独立dúlìindependent獨立
单独dāndúalone單獨
孤独gūdúlonely孤獨
独自dúzìalone獨自
独特dútèunique獨特
独dúalone獨
独舞solo dance獨舞
独家dújiāexclusive獨家
独一无二dúyīwú’èrnothing compares with it獨一無二
独处to live alone獨處
独有unique to獨有
独资exclusive investment獨資
独到original獨到
独裁dúcáidictatorship獨裁
独裁者dictator獨裁者
独占to monopolize獨佔
独角兽unicorn獨角獸
独身dúshēnunmarried獨身
独白soliloquy獨白
情有独钟to have a feeling for sth (affection, sympathy, passion etc)情有獨鍾
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 独立 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 独
Some common phrases that include 独 (dú) are 独立 (dúlì), meaning 'independent', and 独自 (dúzì), meaning 'by oneself' or 'alone'. These phrases are useful for expressing concepts of self-reliance or solitude in various contexts.
Yes, 独 (dú) is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe feelings of being alone or independent. It is relevant in discussions about personal space, preferences, or lifestyle choices, making it a useful word to know for learners.
独 (dú) means 'alone' or 'independent' in Chinese. It can also refer to being 'single' or 'sole' in a context, indicating that something is unique or stands alone. This character is often used in phrases that convey solitude or individuality.
You can use 独 (dú) in a sentence to express independence or solitude, such as in '我喜欢独处' (Wǒ xǐhuān dúchǔ), which means 'I like to be alone.' It's often used to emphasize the idea of being by oneself or doing something independently.
独 emphasizes the aspect of being alone or unique, while 单独 specifically refers to being alone without others, often in a neutral context.
Yes, 独 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but be careful of the nuance it carries.
The correct pronunciation is 'dú', with a rising tone.
