Meanings of 踱
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About 踱
Podcast: 踱
Podcast: 踱
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AI Study Notes for 踱
徘徊 (páihuái) - use 踱 (duó) when emphasizing a leisurely pace, while 徘徊 (páihuái) suggests a more restless or anxious wandering.
Be careful not to confuse 踱 with other walking verbs like 走 (zǒu), which means to walk or go in a more general sense. 踱 is more specific to a slow, thoughtful pace. In informal contexts, you might use it to describe a relaxed walk in the park.
Although 踱 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects well with verbs related to movement, such as 走 (zǒu) and 跑 (pǎo). Focus on recognizing the context in which 踱 is used to enhance understanding of leisurely actions.
Learners often confuse 踱 with the more general verb 走, using it in contexts where a brisk walk is intended. For example, saying '我踱去商店' (Wǒ duó qù shāngdiàn) should be corrected to '我走去商店' (Wǒ zǒu qù shāngdiàn) to indicate a faster pace.
Pronunciation of 踱
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Etymology of 踱
Phonosemantic compound. 足 represents the meaning and 度 represents the sound.
foot
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 踱
Phonosemantic compound. 足 represents the meaning and 度 represents the sound.
- 1The meaning half足 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half度 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayfoot
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 踱? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 踱
Identify the Components
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How to say to pace, to stroll, to walk slowly in Chinese
“to pace, to stroll, to walk slowly” in Chinese is踱
The character 踱 (duó) means to pace or stroll, often implying a leisurely or thoughtful manner of walking. It is commonly used in contexts where someone is walking back and forth, lost in thought, or simply enjoying a leisurely walk, often in a calm or reflective environment.
When to use 踱
Be careful not to confuse 踱 with other walking verbs like 走 (zǒu), which means to walk or go in a more general sense. 踱 is more specific to a slow, thoughtful pace. In informal contexts, you might use it to describe a relaxed walk in the park.
踱 or something close to it
徘徊 (páihuái) - use 踱 (duó) when emphasizing a leisurely pace, while 徘徊 (páihuái) suggests a more restless or anxious wandering.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 踱 with the more general verb 走, using it in contexts where a brisk walk is intended. For example, saying '我踱去商店' (Wǒ duó qù shāngdiàn) should be corrected to '我走去商店' (Wǒ zǒu qù shāngdiàn) to indicate a faster pace.
Write 踱
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Practice writing 踱 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 踱
踱 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 2 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.
Complete the Sentence
菲利普在地板上____来踱去，一副典型的神经紧张的准爸爸形象。
Philip paced the floor, a typically nervous expectant father.
Example Sentences for 踱 (7)
Word Family of 踱
Compound Meaning
What does 踱步 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 踱
Yes, 踱 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it may appear more in literary or descriptive texts.
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