Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
痘 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
痘dòusmallpoxn, 12 strokes, radical 疒, rank #12636, Very Hard
痘dòupimpleunknown, 12 strokes, radical 疒, rank #12636, Very Hard
痘dòupustuleunknown, 12 strokes, radical 疒, rank #12636, Very Hard
dòu(dou4) T4
  1. 1smallpox
  2. 2pimple
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

痘dòu(dou4)

The character 痘 (dòu) refers to a small, raised spot on the skin, commonly known as a pimple or pustule. It is used in both medical contexts, such as referring to smallpox, and in everyday language to describe acne or similar skin conditions.

Strokes12Radical疒Frequency#12636DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, skin conditions like those represented by 痘 are often seen as manifestations of internal imbalances, reflecting the holistic approach to health prevalent in Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tiny dot (the character's form) that looks like a pimple on your skin. The sound 'dòu' can remind you of 'dough,' which can be puffy like a pimple when it rises, helping you visualize the connection between the character and its meaning.

Meanings of 痘

dòu(dou4)
1smallpox
2pimple
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 痘

痘Simplified
12Strokes
疒Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 痘

JasonAmy

Podcast: 痘

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 痘

Quick Contrast

痘 (dòu) vs 粉刺 (fěncì) — use 痘 for raised spots like pimples, while 粉刺 refers specifically to blackheads or whiteheads.

Usage Notes

When using 痘, it's crucial to distinguish between its medical and casual uses. In formal contexts, it may refer specifically to smallpox, while in casual conversation, it often means a pimple. Be careful with pronunciation; the fourth tone can easily be confused with similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

Though not an HSK word, 痘 can be relevant for learners focusing on medical vocabulary or skin-related discussions. Students should connect it with other words related to health and skin conditions to expand their vocabulary effectively.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 痘 with similar-sounding words like '豆' (dòu, meaning bean) due to their close pronunciation. Remember that 痘 specifically refers to skin spots, while '豆' refers to legumes.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 痘

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 痘 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 痘

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 疒 represents the meaning and 豆 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

sickness

Semantic (meaning)疒
+
Phonetic (sound)豆
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 痘

Phonosemantic compound. 疒 represents the meaning and 豆 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half疒 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half豆 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaysickness
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 痘? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 痘?

Decomposition of 痘

IDS Structure⿸疒豆
痘Full Character
=
疒ne4
enclosing
豆dou4
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 痘?

How to say smallpox in Chinese

“smallpox” in Chinese is痘dòu

The character 痘 (dòu) refers to a small, raised spot on the skin, commonly known as a pimple or pustule. It is used in both medical contexts, such as referring to smallpox, and in everyday language to describe acne or similar skin conditions.

When to use 痘

When using 痘, it's crucial to distinguish between its medical and casual uses. In formal contexts, it may refer specifically to smallpox, while in casual conversation, it often means a pimple. Be careful with pronunciation; the fourth tone can easily be confused with similar-sounding words.

痘 or something close to it

痘 (dòu) vs 粉刺 (fěncì) — use 痘 for raised spots like pimples, while 粉刺 refers specifically to blackheads or whiteheads.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 痘 with similar-sounding words like '豆' (dòu, meaning bean) due to their close pronunciation. Remember that 痘 specifically refers to skin spots, while '豆' refers to legumes.

Write 痘

痘

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 痘

痘 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 4

Complete the Sentence

摘要水____症是一种高传染性,急性亲皮肤性病毒感染,好发于儿童,常流行于春、冬两季.

Chickenpox is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the varicella - zoster virus.

Example Sentences for 痘 (7)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
摘要水痘症是一种高传染性,急性亲皮肤性病毒感染,好发于儿童,常流行于春、冬两季.

zhāi yào shuǐ dòu zhèng shì yī zhǒng gāo chuán rǎn xìng, , jí xìng qīn pí fū xìng bìng dú gǎn, rǎn , hǎo fā yú, ér tóng , cháng liú、 háng yú chūn.

Chickenpox is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the varicella - zoster virus.
2
你要是不停地抓那个青春痘就会抓破皮的.

nǐ yào shì bù tíng dì zhuā nà gè qīng chūn dòu jiù huì zhuā pò pí de.

If you keep scratching away at that spot, you'll break the skin.
3
托马斯周末染上了水痘。

tuō mǎ sī zhōu mò rǎn shàng le shuǐ dòu。

Thomas came down with chickenpox at the weekend.
4
针对黑色痘疤可采用的治疗方法?

zhēn duì hēi sè dòu bā kě cǎi yòng de zhì liáo fāng fǎ?

Does in the light of black blain scar adoptable treat a method?
5
适用肌肤: 肤色不均 、 黑眼圈 、 痘疤等肌肤.

shì yòng jī fū: : fū sè bù、 jūn 、 hēi、 yǎn quān 、 dòu bā.

Availability: The color is uneven, flesh and so on dark pouches, pockmark.
6
痘痘留下的疤? 怎样才能修复 啊 ?

dòu dòu liú xià de bā? ? zěn yàng cái néng xiū fù?

The scar that blain blain leaves? How ability rehabilitate?
7
青春痘 、 抗疤、秃头也有特殊缓和的作用.

qīng chūn dòu、 、 kàng、 bā 、 tū tóu yě yǒu tè shū huǎn hé de.

It also has a special relaxative effect on whelk, scar , and baldhead.

Word Family of 痘

Words Containing This Character6
痘dòupimple
水痘chickenpox
青春痘acne
痘苗vaccine
牛痘cowpox
痘痂pockmark
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 痘 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 痘

Yes, 痘 is commonly used to refer to pimples or acne in casual discussions.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 痘?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.