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March 24, 2026
堵dǔ(du3)
The character '堵' (dǔ) primarily means to block or stop up something, often used in contexts like blocking a road or preventing passage. It can also refer to feelings of suffocation or being stifled, as in emotional contexts. Additionally, '堵' can serve as a classifier for walls, emphasizing its physical and metaphorical meanings.
Strokes11Radical土Frequency#4112DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
'堵' is commonly used in everyday life in China, especially regarding traffic jams, which are often referred to as '堵车' (dǔchē), literally 'blocked cars.' This reflects the significant traffic issues in many Chinese cities and the cultural relevance of mobility.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large wall (the radical '土' for earth) blocking a pathway, preventing movement. You can visualize someone feeling suffocated because they are stuck behind this wall, connecting the sound 'dǔ' to the idea of being blocked and feeling trapped.
Meanings of 堵
dǔ(du3)
1to stop up
2(to feel) stifled or suffocated
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 堵
堵Simplified
11Strokes
土Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#4112Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 堵
Podcast: 堵
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AI Study Notes for 堵
Quick Contrast
堵 (dǔ) vs 阻 (zǔ) — use 堵 when referring to blocking a physical passage, while 阻 is more about hindering or obstructing in a broader sense.
Usage Notes
A common mistake learners make is using '堵' in contexts where '阻' (zǔ) would be more appropriate, as '阻' also means to hinder but is more specific to preventing action rather than physical blockage. '堵' is generally used in informal contexts, so be mindful of the tone of your conversation.
HSK Study Tips
Although '堵' is not an HSK vocabulary word, it connects with other HSK words related to actions and emotions like '阻止' (to prevent) and '感到' (to feel). Focus on understanding its use in both physical and emotional contexts to enhance your vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '堵' with '堵塞' (dǔsè), which means to block or congest but is more technical. A common mistake is saying '堵水' (dǔ shuǐ) when referring to stopping water flow; the correct phrase is '堵住水' (dǔ zhù shuǐ).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 堵
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Phonosemantic compound. 土 represents the meaning and 者 represents the sound.
1The meaning half土 carries the sense.
2The sound half者 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayearth
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 堵? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 堵?
Decomposition of 堵
IDS Structure⿰土者
堵Full Character
=
土Tu3
left
者zhe3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 堵?
How to say to stop up in Chinese
“to stop up” in Chinese is堵dǔ
The character '堵' (dǔ) primarily means to block or stop up something, often used in contexts like blocking a road or preventing passage. It can also refer to feelings of suffocation or being stifled, as in emotional contexts. Additionally, '堵' can serve as a classifier for walls, emphasizing its physical and metaphorical meanings.
When to use 堵
A common mistake learners make is using '堵' in contexts where '阻' (zǔ) would be more appropriate, as '阻' also means to hinder but is more specific to preventing action rather than physical blockage. '堵' is generally used in informal contexts, so be mindful of the tone of your conversation.
堵 or something close to it
堵 (dǔ) vs 阻 (zǔ) — use 堵 when referring to blocking a physical passage, while 阻 is more about hindering or obstructing in a broader sense.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse '堵' with '堵塞' (dǔsè), which means to block or congest but is more technical. A common mistake is saying '堵水' (dǔ shuǐ) when referring to stopping water flow; the correct phrase is '堵住水' (dǔ zhù shuǐ).
Write 堵
堵
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Grammar Patterns of 堵
堵 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 5 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.
Our cars get blocked in and we can't leave for ages.
10
所有的门都用砖堵了起来，防止破坏分子闯入。
suǒ yǒu de mén dū yòng zhuān dǔ le qǐ lái， ， fáng zhǐ pò huài fēn zǐ chuǎng。
All the doors have been bricked up to deter vandals.
Word Family of 堵
Words Containing This Character9
堵dǔwall
堵住to block up
堵塞dǔsèto clog up
堵车dǔchētraffic jam堵車
围堵to blockade圍堵
填堵to stuff
堵击to intercept and attack (military)堵擊
阿堵物money
堵塞费traffic congestion fee堵塞費
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 堵 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 堵
In everyday conversation, you might hear phrases like '堵车' (dǔ chē), which means 'traffic jam,' or '堵住' (dǔ zhù), meaning 'to block something up.' These examples illustrate both the physical and emotional uses of the word.
堵 (dǔ) primarily refers to blocking or stopping up something, often in a physical sense, while 阻 (zǔ) conveys the idea of hindering or obstructing, which can be more abstract or metaphorical. Understanding these nuances can enhance your fluency.
堵 (dǔ) means to stop up or block something. It can also describe the feeling of being stifled or suffocated. Additionally, it serves as a classifier for walls.
You can use 堵 in various contexts, such as '这条路被堵了' (zhè tiáo lù bèi dǔ le) meaning 'This road is blocked.' It can also express feelings, like '我感到很堵' (wǒ gǎndào hěn dǔ), meaning 'I feel stifled.'
'堵车' (dǔchē) means 'traffic jam' in Chinese, literally translating to 'blocked cars.'
Yes, '堵' can describe feelings of being stifled or suffocated emotionally, such as in stressful situations.
'阻' (zǔ) can be a synonym, but it's more specific to hindering or stopping actions.
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