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导游 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
导游dǎoyóutour guideHSK 4, n, 18 strokes, rank #11347, Medium
导游dǎoyóuguidebookHSK 4, n, 18 strokes, rank #11347, Medium
导游dǎoyóuto conduct a tourHSK 4, n, 18 strokes, rank #11347, Medium
dǎoyóu(dao3you2)dao you T3
  1. 1tour guide
  2. 2guidebook
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March 24, 2026

导游(導遊)dǎoyóu(dao3you2)

导游 (dǎoyóu) refers to a person who leads and accompanies tourists, providing information about the sights and culture of a location. It can also refer to a guidebook that offers similar information. The term is commonly used in travel contexts, especially when discussing organized tours.

Strokes18Frequency#11347DifficultyMedium
Cultural note

In China, hiring a 导游 is common for domestic and international tourists, especially in places rich in history like Beijing or Xi'an, where a guide can provide in-depth insights into cultural landmarks.

Memory tip

Think of 导 (dǎo) as a 'leader' and 游 (yóu) as 'to roam or travel.' Imagine a friendly guide leading a group of travelers through beautiful sights, helping them navigate and enjoy their adventures. The '3' in pinyin sounds like 'dao' and can remind you of a road or path, which a guide helps you explore.

Meanings of 导游

dǎoyóu(dao3you2)
1tour guide
2guidebook
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 导游

导游Simplified
導遊Traditional
18Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#11347Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 导游

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Podcast: 导游

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AI study notes for 导游

Quick Contrast

景点 (jǐngdiǎn) vs 导游 (dǎoyóu): 景点 refers to specific tourist attractions, while 导游 refers to the person who guides tourists to those attractions.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 导游 with similar terms like 旅行社 (lǚxíngshè), which means travel agency. 导游 is informal and typically used when discussing someone personally leading a tour. Note that the tone is crucial; mispronouncing either syllable could lead to confusion.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 4 word, 导游 connects with other travel-related vocabulary such as 旅行 (lǚxíng, to travel) and 景点 (jǐngdiǎn, scenic spot). Students should focus on using it in context, such as asking for a tour guide or discussing travel plans.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly say 导航 (dǎoháng), which means 'navigation,' instead of 导游. To correct this, remember that 导游 is specifically for tour guides and involves leading people on tours.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 导游

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Component characters

导dǎoto transmit
HSK 46 strokes寸
View full entry
游yóuto swim
HSK 212 strokes氵
View full entry

How to say tour guide in Chinese

“tour guide” in Chinese is导游dǎoyóu

导游 (dǎoyóu) refers to a person who leads and accompanies tourists, providing information about the sights and culture of a location. It can also refer to a guidebook that offers similar information. The term is commonly used in travel contexts, especially when discussing organized tours.

When to use 导游

Be careful not to confuse 导游 with similar terms like 旅行社 (lǚxíngshè), which means travel agency. 导游 is informal and typically used when discussing someone personally leading a tour. Note that the tone is crucial; mispronouncing either syllable could lead to confusion.

导游 or something close to it

景点 (jǐngdiǎn) vs 导游 (dǎoyóu): 景点 refers to specific tourist attractions, while 导游 refers to the person who guides tourists to those attractions.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly say 导航 (dǎoháng), which means 'navigation,' instead of 导游. To correct this, remember that 导游 is specifically for tour guides and involves leading people on tours.

Write 导游

导
游

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

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Grammar patterns of 导游

导游 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 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.

Related grammar lessons2
Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

她是一名____，经常在世界各地飞来飞去。

She is a tour guide, constantly flying back and forth around the world.

Example sentences for 导游 (10)

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1
导游简要地介绍了那个遗址的历史。

dǎoyóu jiǎnyào dì jièshào le nàge yízhǐ de lìshǐ。

A guide gives a brief talk on the history of the site.
2
我们有一位见识广博的导游乔治·亚当斯。

wǒmen yǒu yī wèi jiànshi guǎng bó de dǎoyóu qiáo zhì· yà dāng Sī。

We had a knowledgeable guide in the person of George Adams.
3
给服务员、行李搬运工、导游和司机小费是惯例。

gěi fúwùyuán、 xíngli bānyùn gōng、 dǎoyóu hé sījī xiǎofèi shì guànlì。

It is usual to tip waiters, porters, guides and drivers.
4
我们已安排大家在导游的带领下步行游览这座城市。

wǒmen yǐ ānpái dàjiā zài dǎoyóu de dàilǐng xià bùxíng yóulǎn zhè zuò chéngshì。

We've arranged a walking tour of the city with your guide.
5
导游:在养心殿的东屋.

dǎoyóu: zài yǎng xīn diàn de dōng wū.

It is in the east chamber of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
6
这本导游手册讲述了美洲早期的重要史实.

zhè běn dǎoyóu shǒucè jiǎngshù le měi zhōu zǎoqī de zhòngyào shǐshí.

This guide book points out the main facts of early American history.
7
导游上午会带你们游览全城。

dǎoyóu shàngwǔ huì dài nǐmen yóulǎn quán chéng。

During the morning your guide will take you around the city.
8
导游指着一座宝塔,告诉我们说这是数百年前修建的.

dǎoyóu zhǐzhe yī zuò bǎotǎ, gàosu wǒmen shuō zhè shì shù bǎi niánqián xiūjiàn de.

The guide pointed at a pagoda and told us that it was built hundreds of years ago.
9
一位导游将陪您到处参观.

yī wèi dǎoyóu jiāng péi nín dàochù cānguān.

A tourist guide will show you around.
10
一位导游将陪你们参观宫殿.

yī wèi dǎoyóu jiāng péi nǐmen cānguān gōngdiàn.

A guide will show you round the Palace.

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Frequently asked questions about 导游

导游 refers specifically to the tour guide who leads the tour, while 旅行社 is the travel agency that arranges the tours.

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