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March 24, 2026
岛(㠀)dǎo(dao3)
The character 岛 (dǎo) means 'island' and refers to a landmass surrounded by water. It is commonly used in geographical contexts and can denote both large and small islands. The term is also often used in expressions related to travel and nature.
Strokes7Radical山Frequency#1017DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
Islands hold significant cultural importance in China, with renowned destinations like Hainan Island, known for its tropical climate and tourism. The concept of islands often embodies themes of escape and tranquility in Chinese literature and art.
Memory Tip
Imagine an island shaped like a big 'D' floating on the water. The 'D' reminds you of the pronunciation 'dǎo.' Picture yourself on this island, surrounded by waves, to solidify the image and connection between the character and its meaning.
Meanings of 岛
dǎo(dao3)
1island
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 岛
岛Simplified
㠀Traditional
7Strokes
山Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1017Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 岛
Podcast: 岛
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AI Study Notes for 岛
Quick Contrast
岛 (dǎo) vs 半岛 (bàndǎo) — use 岛 for a fully surrounded landmass, while 半岛 refers to a landmass partially surrounded by water.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine an island shaped like a big 'D' floating on the water. The 'D' reminds you of the pronunciation 'dǎo.' Picture yourself on this island, surrounded by waves, to solidify the image and connection between the character and its meaning.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 岛 (dǎo) with similar characters, as they may have different tones and meanings. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. Common collocations include 岛屿 (dǎoyǔ), meaning 'island' or 'islets.'
HSK Study Tips
Although 岛 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it can be useful for learners at HSK 3 and above. Focus on practicing related vocabulary such as 海 (hǎi, sea) and 岸 (àn, shore) to deepen your understanding of geographical terms.
Cultural Note
Islands hold significant cultural importance in China, with renowned destinations like Hainan Island, known for its tropical climate and tourism. The concept of islands often embodies themes of escape and tranquility in Chinese literature and art.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use the wrong tone, saying 'dao' instead of 'dǎo,' which alters the meaning. Another common mistake is using the character inappropriately in plural contexts; for example, saying '岛们' (dǎo men) instead of just '岛' for islands.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 岛
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Grammar Patterns of 岛
岛 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.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
梅诺卡____是那种适合家庭旅游的地方。
Minorca is the sort of place that caters for families.
Common Confusions with 岛
岛vs导
dǎo
Same pronunciation but different meaning and usage.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "island"?
or
Usage Notes for 岛
Confusion with Simplified CharactersCommon Error
Learners often confuse 岛 (dǎo) with its simplified form 島. Be sure to recognize both forms in different contexts.
1
这个岛很漂亮。
This island is beautiful.
Exercise 1 of 1
Fill in the Blank
这个____很漂亮。
This island is beautiful.
Example Sentences for 岛 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
梅诺卡岛是那种适合家庭旅游的地方。
méi nuò kǎ dǎo shì nà zhǒng shì hé jiā tíng lǚ yóu de dì fāng。
Minorca is the sort of place that caters for families.
2
岛的最高处耸立着一座巨大的黑色城堡。
dǎo de zuì gāo chǔ sǒng lì zháo yī zuò jù dà de hēi sè chéng bǎo。
The island is surmounted by a huge black castle.
3
这艘船停泊在离该半岛北部海岸不远的地方。
zhè sōu chuán tíng bó zài lí gāi bàn dǎo běi bù hǎi àn bù yuǎn de dì fāng。
The boat was anchored off the northern coast of the peninsula.
Castle-hunters won't be disappointed with the Isle of Man.
Cultural Notes for 岛
🏮Cultural insight
Islands hold significant cultural importance in China, with renowned destinations like Hainan Island, known for its tropical climate and tourism. The concept of islands often embodies themes of escape and tranquility in Chinese literature and art.
Word Family of 岛
Compounds1
捣dao3pound
Words Containing This Character20
岛dǎoisland島
青岛Qingdao, subprovincial city in Shandong青島
胰岛素insulin胰島素
半岛bàndǎopeninsula半島
岛屿dǎoyǔisland島嶼
长岛Changdao county in Yantai 煙台|烟台[Yāntái], Shandong長島
群岛archipelago群島
朝鲜半岛Korean Peninsula朝鮮半島
小岛Kojima (Japanese surname and place name)小島
青岛市Qingdao, subprovincial city in Shandong青島市
海岛island海島
冰岛Iceland冰島
广岛Hiroshima, Japan廣島
孤岛isolated island孤島
巴厘岛Bali (island in Indonesia)巴厘島
秦皇岛Qinhuangdao prefecture level city in Hebei秦皇島
环岛roundabout (traffic island)環島
关岛Guam關島
岛国island nation (sometimes refers specifically to Japan)島國
荒岛barren or uninhabited island荒島
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 捣 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 岛
岛 (dǎo) is the simplified version of the traditional character 島 (dǎo). Both characters have the same pronunciation and meaning, but 岛 is used in mainland China, while 島 is commonly used in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Yes, 岛 (dǎo) can be used in various compound words and phrases, such as '热带岛屿' (rèdài dǎoyǔ), which means 'tropical islands.' It's commonly found in geographical terms and names related to islands.
岛 (dǎo) means 'island' in Chinese. It is a noun used to refer to a landmass that is surrounded by water. The character is often used in geographical contexts and can also appear in various place names.
You can use 岛 (dǎo) in a sentence to refer to an island, such as in '这座岛很美' (zhè zuò dǎo hěn měi), which means 'This island is beautiful.' Remember to use the correct measure word when needed, such as 座 (zuò) for larger islands.
It is pronounced as 'dǎo' with the third tone.
Yes, 岛 can refer to both small and large landmasses, but context is important to convey the intended meaning.
