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March 24, 2026
阇(闍)dū(du1)
The character 阇 (dū) primarily refers to a Buddhist high priest or a title of respect within the Buddhist context. It can also denote a defensive structure, such as a platform or barbican, often found in ancient fortifications. In usage, it is most frequently encountered in religious texts or discussions related to Buddhism.
Strokes11Radical门Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese Buddhism, titles and rank are often significant, and 阇 reflects the deep respect for religious leaders. This character signifies not just a position but also a connection to the history and structure of Buddhist communities in China.
Memory Tip
Imagine a high priest standing on a defensive platform overlooking a city. The top of the gate, where the priest oversees everything, looks like a roof (阝, the radical for 'gate'), while 'dū' sounds like 'do' — he 'does' his duty by protecting and guiding the community.
Meanings of 阇
dū(du1)
primary
1a Buddhist high priest
2defensive platform over gate
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 阇
阇Simplified
闍Traditional
11Strokes
门Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 阇
Podcast: 阇
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AI Study Notes for 阇
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a high priest standing on a defensive platform overlooking a city. The top of the gate, where the priest oversees everything, looks like a roof (阝, the radical for 'gate'), while 'dū' sounds like 'do' — he 'does' his duty by protecting and guiding the community.
Usage Notes
This character is rarely used in everyday conversation and is more common in religious or historical texts. Be cautious with its pronunciation, as it can be confused with similar-sounding words. Common collocations include terms related to Buddhist hierarchy or architectural features.
HSK Study Tips
Since 阇 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, learners at this level should focus on understanding its context within Buddhist studies. Connecting it to other religious terms may help reinforce vocabulary related to spiritual practices.
Cultural Note
In Chinese Buddhism, titles and rank are often significant, and 阇 reflects the deep respect for religious leaders. This character signifies not just a position but also a connection to the history and structure of Buddhist communities in China.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 阇 with similar characters like 遮 (zhē), which means 'to cover', leading to incorrect usage. Always remember that 阇 is specific to religious contexts, while 遮 is more general.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 阇
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Cultural Notes for 阇
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese Buddhism, titles and rank are often significant, and 阇 reflects the deep respect for religious leaders. This character signifies not just a position but also a connection to the history and structure of Buddhist communities in China.
Word Family of 阇
Words Containing This Character1
阇dūbarbican闍
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 阇 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 阇
In a religious context, 阇 refers to a high-ranking Buddhist priest, often involved in teaching and guiding followers.
No, 阇 is not commonly used in modern conversation; it is primarily found in Buddhist texts.
