Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
蚪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
蚪dǒutadpolex, 10 strokes, radical 虫
dǒu(dou3)dou T3
  1. 1tadpole
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

蚪dǒu(dou3)

The character 蚪 (dǒu) refers specifically to a tadpole, which is the larval stage of an amphibian, particularly frogs. It is commonly used in biological contexts as well as in discussions about nature and ecology, often symbolizing transformation and growth.

Strokes10Radical虫
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, frogs and tadpoles are often associated with transformation and renewal, reflecting the natural cycle of life. This connection is especially relevant during the rainy season when frogs are more active and visible.

Memory tip

Imagine a tiny tadpole swimming happily in a pond. The character 蚪 has the radical 虫 (insect) which relates to its aquatic nature, while the sound 'dǒu' can remind you of the word 'dough,' as in soft and changing, just like a tadpole that grows into a frog.

Meanings of 蚪

dǒu(dou3)
1tadpole
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 蚪 means.

About 蚪

蚪Simplified
10Strokes
虫Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 蚪

JasonAmy

Podcast: 蚪

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 蚪

Quick Contrast

蝌蚪 (kēdǒu) — 蚪 refers specifically to a tadpole stage, while 蝌蚪 can also denote tadpoles but might be used more broadly in informal contexts.

Usage Notes

When using 蚪, it is important to note that it is a more specific term and may not be widely recognized outside of scientific or educational contexts. Avoid using it in casual conversation where simpler terms like 'frog' might suffice. Ensure you pronounce the third tone correctly to convey the meaning accurately.

HSK Study Tips

Although 蚪 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it could be linked to HSK 3 or 4 words related to animals and nature. Students should focus on recognizing the character’s components and its pronunciation, as well as its connection to other amphibian-related vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 蚪 with the character for frog, which is 青蛙 (qīngwā). A common mistake is to use 蚪 when discussing adult frogs, instead of the correct term. Remember, 蚪 refers only to the tadpole stage.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 蚪

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 蚪 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 蚪 to you

Let me explain 蚪 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 蚪 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

How well do you know 蚪?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 蚪 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.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 蚪

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 虫 represents the meaning and 斗 represents the sound.

Memory hint

worm

Semantic (meaning)虫
+
Phonetic (sound)斗
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

蚪 = 虫 + 斗. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 蚪

IDS Structure⿰虫斗
蚪Full character
=
虫chong2
left
斗Dou3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 蚪?

How to say tadpole in Chinese

“tadpole” in Chinese is蚪dǒu

The character 蚪 (dǒu) refers specifically to a tadpole, which is the larval stage of an amphibian, particularly frogs. It is commonly used in biological contexts as well as in discussions about nature and ecology, often symbolizing transformation and growth.

When to use 蚪

When using 蚪, it is important to note that it is a more specific term and may not be widely recognized outside of scientific or educational contexts. Avoid using it in casual conversation where simpler terms like 'frog' might suffice. Ensure you pronounce the third tone correctly to convey the meaning accurately.

蚪 or something close to it

蝌蚪 (kēdǒu) — 蚪 refers specifically to a tadpole stage, while 蝌蚪 can also denote tadpoles but might be used more broadly in informal contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 蚪 with the character for frog, which is 青蛙 (qīngwā). A common mistake is to use 蚪 when discussing adult frogs, instead of the correct term. Remember, 蚪 refers only to the tadpole stage.

Write 蚪

蚪

Practice writing 蚪 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 蚪?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

Word Family of 蚪

Words containing this character2
蝌蚪tadpole
蚪dǒutadpole
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 蚪

What does 蝌蚪 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 蚪

The character 蚪 is pronounced as 'dǒu', with a falling-rising tone.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 蚪?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab