(verb complement denoting completion or result of an action)
HSK 1, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #35, Easy
到
dào
to go to, to arrive
HSK 1, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #35, Easy
dào(dao4)dao T4
1to (a place)
2until (a time)
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March 24, 2026
到dào(dao4)
The character 到 (dào) primarily means 'to arrive at a place' or 'to reach a destination.' It can also denote the completion of an action or the idea of 'until' in terms of time, making it versatile in both spatial and temporal contexts.
Strokes8Radical刂Frequency#35DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, punctuality is valued, and the concept of arriving on time is often linked to respect. The use of 到 can reflect both physical arrival and the importance of being timely in social and professional settings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a traveler reaching their destination, exclaiming '到!' as they arrive. The character features the radical for 'movement' and looks like someone walking towards a place, making it easier to remember that it signifies arrival.
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AI Study Notes for 到
Quick Contrast
到 (dào) vs 赶 (gǎn) — use 到 for indicating arrival at a destination, while 赶 emphasizes the act of hurrying to reach that destination.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 到 with 进 (jìn), which means 'to enter.' Remember that 到 is used when you reach a destination rather than when you just enter a space. It is used in both formal and informal contexts but is more frequently encountered in daily conversation.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 到 connects with verbs of motion and location. Students should focus on using it in sentences that express arrival, such as '我到了' (I have arrived) and practice combining it with time expressions for clarity.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is using 到 inappropriately with verbs that don't imply movement; for instance, saying '到吃' (arrive to eat) instead of simply '吃' (to eat). Remember, 到 should relate to reaching a location or completion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 到
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Learning Lab
Knowing 到 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.
到 = 至 + 刂. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 到
IDS Structure⿰至刂
到Full Character
=
至zhi4
left
刂dao1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 到?
How to say to (a place) in Chinese
“to (a place)” in Chinese is到dào
The character 到 (dào) primarily means 'to arrive at a place' or 'to reach a destination.' It can also denote the completion of an action or the idea of 'until' in terms of time, making it versatile in both spatial and temporal contexts.
When to use 到
Common mistakes include confusing 到 with 进 (jìn), which means 'to enter.' Remember that 到 is used when you reach a destination rather than when you just enter a space. It is used in both formal and informal contexts but is more frequently encountered in daily conversation.
到 or something close to it
到 (dào) vs 赶 (gǎn) — use 到 for indicating arrival at a destination, while 赶 emphasizes the act of hurrying to reach that destination.
What learners get wrong
A frequent error is using 到 inappropriately with verbs that don't imply movement; for instance, saying '到吃' (arrive to eat) instead of simply '吃' (to eat). Remember, 到 should relate to reaching a location or completion.
Write 到
到
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Practice writing 到 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 到
到 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 7 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.
