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偷偷 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
偷偷tōutōustealthilyHSK 6, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #3147, Hard
偷偷tōutōusecretlyHSK 6, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #3147, Hard
偷偷tōutōucovertlyHSK 6, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #3147, Hard
偷偷tōutōufurtivelyHSK 6, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #3147, Hard
偷偷tōutōuon the slyHSK 6, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #3147, Hard
tōutōu(tou1tou1)tou tou T1
  1. 1stealthily
  2. 2secretly
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March 24, 2026

偷偷tōutōu(tou1tou1)

偷偷 (tōutōu) means to do something stealthily or secretly, often implying an element of sneakiness or covert action. It is commonly used to describe actions taken without others' knowledge, especially when the action may be considered mischievous or forbidden.

Strokes22Frequency#3147DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of secrecy is often associated with strategies in traditional tales or folklore, where characters might need to act stealthily to achieve their goals, reflecting a broader cultural appreciation for cleverness and subtlety.

Memory Tip

Imagine a cat (the character 偷) sneaking around quietly at night, its paws making no sound as it approaches a fish (the two 'tou' sounds). Picture the cat tiptoeing, emphasizing the idea of doing something secretly, thus connecting the character to its meaning.

Meanings of 偷偷

tōutōu(tou1tou1)
1stealthily
2secretly
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About 偷偷

偷偷Simplified
22Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

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Podcast: 偷偷

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AI Study Notes for 偷偷

Quick Contrast

暗暗 (àn'àn) - use 偷偷 when emphasizing sneakiness or mischief, while 暗暗 suggests doing something quietly or secretly without the same connotation of wrongdoing.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 偷偷 with similar expressions like 暗中 (ànzhōng), which is more formal. This word is generally used in informal contexts, and it often appears with verbs like '看' (to watch) or '做' (to do), e.g., 偷偷看 (to sneak a look).

HSK Study Tips

Although 偷偷 is not an HSK word, it is relevant for HSK 4 learners who are building vocabulary around actions and behaviors. Focus on understanding its usage in conversations about sneaky actions, as it will enhance your descriptive language skills.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 偷偷 in contexts that require a more formal expression of secrecy. For instance, saying 偷偷的方式 (tōutōu de fāngshì - 'a secret way') is awkward; instead, use 秘密的方式 (mìmì de fāngshì).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 偷偷

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Component Characters

偷tōuto steal
HSK 611 strokes亻
View full entry
偷tōuto steal
HSK 611 strokes亻
View full entry

How to say stealthily in Chinese

“stealthily” in Chinese is偷偷tōutōu

偷偷 (tōutōu) means to do something stealthily or secretly, often implying an element of sneakiness or covert action. It is commonly used to describe actions taken without others' knowledge, especially when the action may be considered mischievous or forbidden.

When to use 偷偷

Be cautious not to confuse 偷偷 with similar expressions like 暗中 (ànzhōng), which is more formal. This word is generally used in informal contexts, and it often appears with verbs like '看' (to watch) or '做' (to do), e.g., 偷偷看 (to sneak a look).

偷偷 or something close to it

暗暗 (àn'àn) - use 偷偷 when emphasizing sneakiness or mischief, while 暗暗 suggests doing something quietly or secretly without the same connotation of wrongdoing.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 偷偷 in contexts that require a more formal expression of secrecy. For instance, saying 偷偷的方式 (tōutōu de fāngshì - 'a secret way') is awkward; instead, use 秘密的方式 (mìmì de fāngshì).

Write 偷偷

偷
偷

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Frequently Asked Questions about 偷偷

It's best to avoid using 偷偷 in formal contexts, as it carries a casual tone and implies sneakiness.

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