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凸 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
凸tūconvexHSK 7, v, 5 strokes, radical 凵, rank #19129, Very Hard
凸tūto stick outHSK 7, v, 5 strokes, radical 凵, rank #19129, Very Hard
凸tūTaiwan pr. [tú]HSK 7, v, 5 strokes, radical 凵, rank #19129, Very Hard
凸tūto protrude, to bulge out; convexHSK 7, v, 5 strokes, radical 凵, rank #19129, Very Hard
凸tūprotrudingHSK 7, unknown, 5 strokes, radical 凵, rank #19129, Very Hard
凸tūmale (connector etc)HSK 7, unknown, 5 strokes, radical 凵, rank #19129, Very Hard
凸tūTaiwan pr. [tu2]HSK 7, unknown, 5 strokes, radical 凵, rank #19129, Very Hard
tū(tu1)tu T1
  1. 1convex
  2. 2to stick out
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March 24, 2026

凸tū(tu1)

The character 凸 (tū) primarily describes the shape or quality of being convex or protruding. It is commonly used in contexts such as geometry, describing objects that bulge outward, and can also refer to things that are noticeably sticking out, like a bump or a bulge.

Strokes5Radical凵Frequency#19129DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Taiwan, the pronunciation of 凸 as tú can also refer to protruding features in a playful or colloquial manner, often used in casual conversations about fashion or design.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'tub' (tū) that is round and bulging outwards at the sides. The character 凸 resembles a 'tub' with its outward curves, helping you remember both its shape and pronunciation.

Meanings of 凸

tū(tu1)
1convex
2to stick out
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 凸 means.

About 凸

凸Simplified
5Strokes
凵Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#19129Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 凸

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Podcast: 凸

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AI study notes for 凸

Quick Contrast

凹 (āo) - use 凸 for convex shapes, while 凹 describes concave shapes.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 凸 with its antonym 凹 (āo), which means concave. This character is more informal and typically used in everyday conversation or descriptions rather than formal writing. Be cautious with the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

While 凸 is not in the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to other words describing shapes, such as 平 (píng) for flat and 凹 (āo) for concave. Focus on understanding its use in context, especially in discussions about shapes or physical objects.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 凸 with other similar-looking characters, leading to mispronunciations like using 'dū' instead of 'tū'. Remember that the correct pronunciation is critical for conveying the right meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 凸

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Etymology of 凸

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of a bump sticking out. Opposite of 凹.

Memory hint

A rectangle with a bulge

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 凸?

Decomposition of 凸

IDS Structure⿱⿰??一
凸Full character
=
一yi1
left
Exercise 1 of 1

Parts

Which of these is part of 凸?

How to say convex in Chinese

“convex” in Chinese is凸tū

The character 凸 (tū) primarily describes the shape or quality of being convex or protruding. It is commonly used in contexts such as geometry, describing objects that bulge outward, and can also refer to things that are noticeably sticking out, like a bump or a bulge.

When to use 凸

Learners often confuse 凸 with its antonym 凹 (āo), which means concave. This character is more informal and typically used in everyday conversation or descriptions rather than formal writing. Be cautious with the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.

凸 or something close to it

凹 (āo) - use 凸 for convex shapes, while 凹 describes concave shapes.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes confuse 凸 with other similar-looking characters, leading to mispronunciations like using 'dū' instead of 'tū'. Remember that the correct pronunciation is critical for conveying the right meaning.

Write 凸

凸

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

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Grammar patterns of 凸

凸 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 7 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 4

Fill the gap

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

他摇摇晃晃地行走在停车场凹____不平的地面上。

He staggered on the uneven surface of the car park.

Example sentences for 凸 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他摇摇晃晃地行走在停车场凹凸不平的地面上。

tā yáo yáohuàng huǎng dì xíngzǒu zài tíngchēchǎng āotū bùpíng de dìmiàn shàng。

He staggered on the uneven surface of the car park.
2
柏油路面两边的辅道上布满车辙,凹凸不平。

bǎi yóu lùmiàn liǎngbian de fǔ dào shàng bùmǎn chē chè, āotū bùpíng。

The side tracks off the tarred road were rutted and uneven.
3
凸凹不平的石墙就像一条很深的运河的河岸。

tū āo bùpíng de dàn qiáng jiù xiàng yī tiáo hěn shēn de yùnhé de hé àn。

The rough rock walls were like the sides of a deep canal.
4
那件连衣裙凸显了她的蜂腰,也让她的胸部看起来更丰满。

nà jiàn lián yī qún tūxiǎn le tā de fēng yāo, yě ràng tā de xiōngbù kànqǐlai gèng fēngmǎn。

The dress exaggerates her wasp waist and enlarges her bosom.
5
原先苹果酒里的任何杂质在蒸馏后都会凸现出来。

yuánxiān píngguǒ jiǔ lǐ de rènhé zá zhì zài zhēng liú hòu dūhuì tū xiàn chūlái。

Any faults in the original cider stood out sharply after distillation.
6
他有一双清澈的蓝眼睛和凸出的下巴。

tā yǒu yī shuāng qīngchè de lán yǎnjing hé tū chū de xià Bā。

He had clear blue eyes and a jutting chin.
7
平底锅的凸纹设计使多余的油能够控出。

píng de guō de tū wén shèjì shǐ duōyú de yóu nénggòu kòng chū。

The ridged design of the pan allows excess fat to drain off.
8
卡车嘎吱嘎吱地在凹凸不平的地面上颠簸而行。

kǎchē gā zhī gā zhī dì zài āotū bùpíng de dìmiàn shàng diānbǒ ér xíng。

The truck jolted and rattled over the rough ground.
9
他把上衣挂在凸出墙面的一根钉子上。

tā bǎ shàngyī guà zài tū chū qiáng miàn de yī gēn dīngzi shàng。

He hung his coat on a nail protruding from the wall.
10
转子在其凸角之间的三个面上有凹槽.

zhuǎi zi zài qí tū jiǎo zhījiān de sāngè miàn shàng yǒu āo cáo.

The rotor has recesses in its three faces between the lobes.

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Word Family of 凸

Words containing this character16
凸tūconvex
凸现tūxiànto stick out凸現
凸显tūxiǎnto present clearly凸顯
凸出tūchūto protrude
凸起tūqǐconvex
凹凸āotūconcave or convex
凹凸不平āotūbùpínguneven (surface)
凸轮tūlúncam凸輪
凸透镜tūtòujìngconvex lens凸透鏡
凸轮轴tūlúnzhóucamshaft凸輪軸
凸面tūmiànconvex surface
凸版tūbǎnrelief printing plate
凸镜tūjìngconvex mirror凸鏡
凸性tūxìngconvexity
凸面镜tūmiànjìngconvex mirror凸面鏡
凸多边形tūduōbiānxíngconvex polygon凸多邊形
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 凸

What does 凸现 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 凸

You can say '这个球是凸的' (zhège qiú shì tū de), meaning 'This ball is convex.'

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