short pause in reading aloud, equivalent to comma (also written 讀
HSK 6, v, 10 strokes, radical 辶, rank #3127, Hard
逗
dòu
>读[dòu])
HSK 6, v, 10 strokes, radical 辶, rank #3127, Hard
逗
dòu
to entice, to tempt; to arouse, to stir
HSK 6, v, 10 strokes, radical 辶, rank #3127, Hard
逗
dòu
short pause in reading aloud, equivalent to comma (also written 讀|读[dou4])
HSK 6, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 辶, rank #3127, Hard
dòu(dou4) T4
1to stay
2to stop
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March 24, 2026
逗dòu(dou4)
The character 逗 (dòu) primarily means to tease or amuse someone, often through playful behavior or lighthearted banter. It can also refer to enticing or stirring emotions in someone. In a literary context, it represents a brief pause in reading, similar to a comma, which adds a playful tone to the text.
Strokes10Radical辶Frequency#3127DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, playful teasing among friends or family is a sign of affection and camaraderie, often seen in social gatherings and during celebrations. This behavior is considered a way to strengthen bonds.
Memory Tip
Imagine a playful dog (the left component '走' suggesting movement) that loves to stop and tease its owner with its antics. The sound 'dòu' can remind you of the dog's playful barking, making it memorable as you think of the dog enticing you to join in on the fun.
Meanings of 逗
dòu(dou4)
1to stay
2to stop
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 逗
逗Simplified
10Strokes
辶Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#3127Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 逗
Podcast: 逗
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AI Study Notes for 逗
Quick Contrast
捉 (zhuō) vs 逗 (dòu) — use 逗 when implying teasing or playful amusement rather than just catching or seizing.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a playful dog (the left component '走' suggesting movement) that loves to stop and tease its owner with its antics. The sound 'dòu' can remind you of the dog's playful barking, making it memorable as you think of the dog enticing you to join in on the fun.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 逗 with similar characters like 读 (dú), which means 'to read.' This word is mostly informal and commonly used in conversations, especially when referring to playful teasing among friends. Be mindful of its tone, as the fourth tone can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 逗 connects with other verbs that describe actions, particularly those involving interaction and emotion. Students should focus on using it in sentences to describe playful situations or teasing, enhancing their conversational skills.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, playful teasing among friends or family is a sign of affection and camaraderie, often seen in social gatherings and during celebrations. This behavior is considered a way to strengthen bonds.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 逗 in formal contexts where teasing is inappropriate. For instance, saying '逗你的老板' (dòu nǐ de lǎobǎn) to mean 'tease your boss' is inappropriate; use it in friendly settings instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 逗
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Grammar Patterns of 逗
逗 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 8 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
是…的 emphasis是 + [V] + 的
HSK 3
...
❝
他是逗我玩的。
tā shì dòu wǒ wán de.
He was teasing me.
Exercise 1 of 1
Build the Sentence
He was teasing me.
Tap tokens to build the sentence
Common Confusions with 逗
逗vs豆
dòu
Same pronunciation but different meaning.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to stay"?
or
Usage Notes for 逗
Mixing up meaningsCommon Error
Learners often confuse 逗 with other verbs that have different meanings.
1
他一直在逗我。
He keeps teasing me.
Exercise 1 of 1
Fill in the Blank
他一直在____我。
He keeps teasing me.
Example Sentences for 逗 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
你上次和他调情或挑逗他是什么时候？
nǐ shàng cì hé tā tiáo qíng huò tiāo dòu tā shì shí mó shí hòu？
tā zài xiào， ， èr rén dā dàng zhōng dòu rén lè de nà。
He was laughing, the clown of the twosome.
Cultural Notes for 逗
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, playful teasing among friends or family is a sign of affection and camaraderie, often seen in social gatherings and during celebrations. This behavior is considered a way to strengthen bonds.
Word Family of 逗
Words Containing This Character19
逗dòuto stay
挑逗to provoke
逗留to stay at
逗乐to amuse oneself逗樂
逗号comma (punct.)逗號
逗笑to amuse
逗人amusing
逗趣to amuse
逗弄to tease
挑逗性provocative
逗引to make fun of
逗哏lead comic
引逗to tantalize
逗点comma逗點
逗闷子(dialect) to joke逗悶子
逗嘴to banter
撩逗to provoke
逗哈哈to joke
逗情to flirt
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 逗 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 逗
You can say '他总是逗我笑' (Tā zǒng shì dòu wǒ xiào), meaning 'He always makes me laugh.'
逗 is more common in spoken Chinese, especially in casual conversations.
While 逗 is primarily playful, it can be used in serious contexts to describe emotional teasing, but this is less common.
