HSK 7, zg, 11 strokes, radical 皿, rank #6388, Very Hard
盗
dào
to rob
HSK 7, zg, 11 strokes, radical 皿, rank #6388, Very Hard
盗
dào
to plunder
HSK 7, zg, 11 strokes, radical 皿, rank #6388, Very Hard
盗
dào
thief
HSK 7, zg, 11 strokes, radical 皿, rank #6388, Very Hard
盗
dào
bandit
HSK 7, zg, 11 strokes, radical 皿, rank #6388, Very Hard
盗
dào
robber
HSK 7, zg, 11 strokes, radical 皿, rank #6388, Very Hard
dào(dao4)dao T4
1to steal
2to rob
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March 24, 2026
盗(盜)dào(dao4)
The character 盗 (dào) means 'to steal' or 'to rob.' It is commonly used in contexts relating to theft, crime, and dishonesty. This character can refer not only to the act of stealing but also to the person who commits such acts, such as a thief or bandit.
Strokes11Radical皿Frequency#6388DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of theft is often linked to moral teachings and traditional values emphasizing honesty and integrity. Stories of thieves are common in folklore, often serving as cautionary tales against dishonesty.
Memory Tip
Imagine a thief (盗) sneaking away with a valuable treasure. The left side of the character, '亻,' suggests a person, while the right side, '到,' hints at reaching or arriving, as in reaching for something that does not belong to you. Picture this sneaky figure dashing away with the loot, making 'dào' stick in your memory.
Meanings of 盗
dào(dao4)
1to steal
2to rob
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 盗
盗Simplified
盜Traditional
11Strokes
皿Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#6388Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 盗
Podcast: 盗
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AI Study Notes for 盗
Quick Contrast
窃 (qiè) - use 盗 (dào) for general theft or robbery, while 窃 (qiè) specifically implies stealthy or secretive stealing.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 盗 (dào) with other similar-sounding words that have different meanings, such as 到 (dào, to arrive). It is typically used in informal contexts, but can also appear in formal discussions about crime. Common collocations include 盗窃 (dàoqiè, theft) and 盗贼 (dàozéi, robber).
HSK Study Tips
Although 盗 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, it connects to themes of crime and morality, which can be found in other HSK vocabulary. Focus on its use in context, especially with phrases like 盗窃 (theft) to enhance your understanding of crime-related vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 盗 with similar characters like 偷 (tōu), leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我盗了书' (I stole a book) instead of the more common '我偷了书' can sound overly formal or literary.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 盗
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How Well Do You Know 盗?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 盗 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.
The character 盗 (dào) means 'to steal' or 'to rob.' It is commonly used in contexts relating to theft, crime, and dishonesty. This character can refer not only to the act of stealing but also to the person who commits such acts, such as a thief or bandit.
When to use 盗
Be careful not to confuse 盗 (dào) with other similar-sounding words that have different meanings, such as 到 (dào, to arrive). It is typically used in informal contexts, but can also appear in formal discussions about crime. Common collocations include 盗窃 (dàoqiè, theft) and 盗贼 (dàozéi, robber).
盗 or something close to it
窃 (qiè) - use 盗 (dào) for general theft or robbery, while 窃 (qiè) specifically implies stealthy or secretive stealing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 盗 with similar characters like 偷 (tōu), leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我盗了书' (I stole a book) instead of the more common '我偷了书' can sound overly formal or literary.
Write 盗
盗
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Practice writing 盗 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 盗
盗 carries 6 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
把____窃艺术品看作是一种绅士犯罪的观念已经过时了。
The image of art theft as a gentleman's crime is outdated.
