Meanings of 倒
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About 倒
Podcast: 倒
Podcast: 倒
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AI study notes for 倒
倒 (dào) vs 跌 (diē) — use 倒 for broader contexts including metaphorical meanings, while 跌 specifically refers to falling or tripping physically.
Be cautious of the context in which you use 倒, as it can imply failure or unexpected results. It is often used in both formal and informal settings but may sound more dramatic in casual conversation. Common collocations include 倒下 (to fall down) and 倒闭 (to go bankrupt).
As an HSK Level 4 word, 倒 connects with other verbs related to movement and change, like 转 (zhuǎn - to turn) and 跌 (diē - to fall). Focus on its various meanings and practice using it in sentences to grasp its flexibility.
Learners often confuse 倒 with other similar characters, such as 摔 (to fall) or 跌 (to tumble); remember that 倒 emphasizes a more general sense of inversion or failure. A mistake like saying '我倒了' (I fell) when meaning 'I fell down' could be corrected to '我摔倒了'.
Pronunciation of 倒
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Jason Explains 倒 to you
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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.
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Etymology of 倒
Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 到 represents the sound.
person
Origin
倒 = 亻 + 到. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 倒
Parts
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How to say to fall in Chinese
“to fall” in Chinese is倒
The character 倒 (dǎo) primarily means 'to fall' or 'to collapse'. It is commonly used in various contexts, such as describing physical actions like falling over or pouring liquid, as well as metaphorical uses, such as failing in business or life. Its versatility allows it to convey unexpected changes or outcomes.
When to use 倒
Be cautious of the context in which you use 倒, as it can imply failure or unexpected results. It is often used in both formal and informal settings but may sound more dramatic in casual conversation. Common collocations include 倒下 (to fall down) and 倒闭 (to go bankrupt).
倒 or something close to it
倒 (dào) vs 跌 (diē) — use 倒 for broader contexts including metaphorical meanings, while 跌 specifically refers to falling or tripping physically.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 倒 with other similar characters, such as 摔 (to fall) or 跌 (to tumble); remember that 倒 emphasizes a more general sense of inversion or failure. A mistake like saying '我倒了' (I fell) when meaning 'I fell down' could be corrected to '我摔倒了'.
Write 倒
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Practice writing 倒 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 倒
倒 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 22 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
现在看来，那____是个很好的办法。
Looking at it now, that is indeed a very good method.
Example sentences for 倒 (18)
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Word Family of 倒
Words with 倒
What does 倒是 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 倒
Yes, 倒 can describe metaphorical situations like failing in business or relationships, not just physical actions.
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