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March 24, 2026
涂(塗)tú(tu2)
The character 涂 (tú) primarily means 'to apply' or 'to smear,' often in the context of applying paint, ink, or similar substances. It can also refer to the act of scribbling or daubing something, and in literary contexts, it may denote mud or a street. This word is commonly used in both artistic and practical situations.
Strokes10Radical氵Frequency#2956DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese art, the act of applying ink or paint is a significant process, often emphasizing the importance of technique and expression. 涂 reflects this cultural appreciation for artistic methods.
Memory Tip
Imagine a painter (涂) applying a thick coat of paint to a wall, smearing it across the surface. The character looks like a big splash or smear of paint, helping you remember its meaning of 'to apply' or 'to daub'.
Meanings of 涂
tú(tu2)
1to apply (paint etc)
2to smear
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 涂
涂Simplified
塗Traditional
10Strokes
氵Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2956Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 涂
Podcast: 涂
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AI Study Notes for 涂
Quick Contrast
涂 (tú) vs 画 (huà) — use 涂 when referring specifically to applying or smearing a substance, while 画 refers to drawing or painting an image.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a painter (涂) applying a thick coat of paint to a wall, smearing it across the surface. The character looks like a big splash or smear of paint, helping you remember its meaning of 'to apply' or 'to daub'.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 涂 with similar-sounding words. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, often appearing in artistic expressions or everyday tasks like painting. Common collocations include 涂色 (tú sè - to color) and 涂抹 (tú mǒ - to smear).
HSK Study Tips
Though 涂 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be linked to other verbs related to actions, such as 写 (xiě - to write) or 画 (huà - to draw). Focus on the context in which 涂 is used, especially in artistic discussions.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese art, the act of applying ink or paint is a significant process, often emphasizing the importance of technique and expression. 涂 reflects this cultural appreciation for artistic methods.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 涂 with the character 图 (tú), which means 'map' or 'picture'. For example, saying 涂 means 'picture' is incorrect; instead, remember that 涂 relates to applying or smearing substances.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 涂
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Grammar Patterns of 涂
涂 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 10 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
Complete the Sentence
将胭脂调匀____在你脸颊红润的地方。
Dust and blend blusher on the apples of your cheeks.
Common Confusions with 涂
涂vs图
tú
Same pronunciation but different meaning and usage.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to apply (paint etc)"?
or
Example Sentences for 涂 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
将胭脂调匀涂在你脸颊红润的地方。
jiāng yān zhī tiáo yún tú zài nǐ liǎn jiá hóng rùn de dì fāng。
Dust and blend blusher on the apples of your cheeks.
2
我可不想让你把事情弄得一塌糊涂。
wǒ kě bù xiǎng ràng nǐ bǎ shì qíng nòng dé yī tā hū tú。
I have no intention of letting you balls it up.
3
卡罗琳5岁时在墙上乱涂乱画。
kǎ luó lín5 5 suì shí zài qiáng shàng luàn tú luàn。
When Caroline was five she scribbled on a wall.
4
每两个小时重新涂一次防晒油，尤其是在游泳的时候。
měi liǎng gè xiǎo shí zhòng xīn tú yī cì fáng shài yóu， ， yóu qí shì zài yóu yǒng de shí。
Re-apply sunscreen every two hours, especially if you have been swimming.
5
你说话像个糊里糊涂耽于幻想的人。
nǐ shuō huà xiàng gè hū lǐ hū tú dān yú huàn xiǎng de rén。
You're talking like an addled romantic.
6
她已化好妆，并涂黑了睫毛。
tā yǐ huà hǎo zhuāng， ， bìng tú hēi le jié。
She had put on her make-up and darkened her eyelashes.
7
墙上被人用喷漆涂得乱七八糟。
qiáng shàng bèi rén yòng pēn qī tú dé luàn qī bā zāo。
The walls have been horribly vandalized with spray paint.
8
涂抹染发剂可能会搞得一团糟，特别是长发。
tú mǒ rǎn fā jì kě néng huì gǎo dé yī tuán zāo， ， tè bié shì cháng。
Applying the dye can be messy, particularly on long hair.
9
别跑题，否则你会把我搞糊涂的。
bié pǎo tí， ， fǒu zé nǐ huì bǎ wǒ gǎo hū tú。
Let's keep to the subject, or you'll get me too confused.
10
要是不常用脑子，你就会变得糊涂起来。
yào shì bù cháng yòng nǎo zǐ， ， nǐ jiù huì biàn dé hū tú qǐ。
If you don't keep your brain working you go gaga.
Cultural Notes for 涂
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese art, the act of applying ink or paint is a significant process, often emphasizing the importance of technique and expression. 涂 reflects this cultural appreciation for artistic methods.
Word Family of 涂
Compounds2
塗tu2to smear, to scribble, to daub; surname
蒤
Words Containing This Character20
涂túto smear塗
糊涂hútumuddled糊塗
一塌糊涂yìtāhútúcomplete shambles一塌糊塗
涂料paint塗料
涂鸦graffiti塗鴉
涂抹túmǒto paint塗抹
涂层coating塗層
一败涂地a crushing defeat一敗塗地
涂片microscope slide塗片
糊里糊涂confused糊裡糊塗
稀里糊涂muddleheaded稀裏糊塗
涂改to alter (text)塗改
滩涂mudflat灘塗
老糊涂dotard老糊塗
胡涂muddled胡塗
糊涂虫blunderer糊塗蟲
涂脂抹粉to put on makeup塗脂抹粉
海涂shoal海塗
糊涂账muddled accounts糊塗賬
涂写to daub塗寫
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 塗 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 涂
Common phrases include 涂色 (to color) and 涂抹 (to smear). These phrases are often used in contexts involving art or writing.
Yes, 涂 can be used in both formal and informal writing, particularly in artistic or literary contexts.
涂 is pronounced as 'tú', with a rising tone, similar to how you would say 'too' in English but with a slight rise in pitch.
