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图 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
diagramHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 囗, rank #2156, Medium
pictureHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 囗, rank #2156, Medium
drawingHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 囗, rank #2156, Medium
chartHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 囗, rank #2156, Medium
mapHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 囗, rank #2156, Medium
>张[zhāng]HSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 囗, rank #2156, Medium
to planHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 囗, rank #2156, Medium
to schemeHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 囗, rank #2156, Medium
to attemptHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 囗, rank #2156, Medium
to pursueHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 囗, rank #2156, Medium
to seekHSK 4, n, 8 strokes, radical 囗, rank #2156, Medium
(tu2) T2
  1. 1diagram
  2. 2picture
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(圖)(tu2)

The character 图 (tú) primarily means 'diagram', 'picture', or 'map'. It is commonly used in contexts involving visual representations, such as charts and drawings, as well as in planning or scheming. The character conveys both the act of creating visual aids and the concept of strategizing or pursuing goals.

Strokes8RadicalFrequency#2156DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, maps (地图, dìtú) are essential for navigation, reflecting the importance of planning and organization in daily life. The use of diagrams in education also emphasizes clarity and visual learning.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'turtle' (sounds like 'tú') sketching a diagram in the sand. The turtle represents the slow, careful planning involved in creating a 图. The character itself has a 'picture' component, with the top part resembling a drawing.

Meanings of 图

(tu2)
1diagram
2picture
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 图

Simplified
Traditional
8Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2156Frequency Rank
Measure Word
HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2BCTCEFRA2

Podcast: 图

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Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 图

Quick Contrast

图 (tú) vs 图案 (tú'àn) — use 图 for general pictures or diagrams, while 图案 specifically refers to patterns or designs.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'turtle' (sounds like 'tú') sketching a diagram in the sand. The turtle represents the slow, careful planning involved in creating a 图. The character itself has a 'picture' component, with the top part resembling a drawing.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 图 with similar characters like 图书 (túshū, meaning 'book'), which includes 图 as part of a compound word. While 图 is versatile, it is primarily informal when used to refer to pictures; in formal contexts, specify the type of diagram or chart.

HSK Study Tips

While 图 is not listed in the HSK levels, it connects to concepts of representation and planning found in HSK vocabulary. Focus on using it in sentences describing maps or visual aids, as well as in contexts of strategizing.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, maps (地图, dìtú) are essential for navigation, reflecting the importance of planning and organization in daily life. The use of diagrams in education also emphasizes clarity and visual learning.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 图 as 'tǔ' instead of 'tú', confusing it with 土 (earth). Additionally, some may use 图 in formal contexts where more specific terms for charts or drawings are preferred.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 图

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Etymology of 图

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

Simplified form of 圖. Pictograph of a map of territory.

Memory Hint

Simplified form of 圖; a map of a district's 啚 borders 囗

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 图?

Decomposition of 图

IDS Structure⿴囗冬
Full Character
=
wei2
enclosing
dong1
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 图?

Write 图

Practice writing 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 图

图 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 11 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

明天他们一起去____书馆。

Tomorrow they're going to the library together.

Common Confusions with 图

vs

Same pronunciation but different meanings and radicals.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "diagram"?

or

Example Sentences for 图 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我极不赞成你试图达成的目标。

wǒ jí bù zàn chéng nǐ shì tú dá chéng de mù biāo。

I'm highly unsympathetic to what you are trying to achieve.
2
希拉想帮助斯坦是另有所图的。

xī lā xiǎng bāng zhù sī tǎn shì lìng yǒu suǒ tú de。

Sheila had an ulterior motive for trying to help Stan.
3
草图应该是最终绘画的某种演练。

cǎo tú yīng gāi shì zuì zhōng huì huà de mǒu zhǒng yǎn liàn。

The sketch should be a kind of rehearsal for the eventual painting.
4
他那本带有精美插图的书见证了他对大学的热爱。

tā nà běn dài yǒu jīng měi chā tú de shū jiàn zhèng le tā duì dà xué de rè ài。

His beautifully illustrated book well attested his love of the university.
5
亚辛试图从警察手中逃脱时受了重伤。

yà xīn shì tú cóng jǐng chá shǒu zhōng táo tuō shí shòu le zhòng shāng。

Yasin had seriously hurt himself while trying to escape from the police.
6
这张图片中的铁艺藤椅要价125英镑。

zhè zhāng tú piàn zhōng de tiě yì téng yǐ yào jià125 125 yīng。

The rattan and wrought-iron chair pictured here costs £
7
设置这门课程是为了指导学生如何运用色彩和构图。

shè zhì zhè mén kè chéng shì wéi le zhǐ dǎo xué shēng rú hé yùn yòng sè cǎi hé gòu tú。

The course is designed to help students with colour and composition.
8
提交了17,000多张图片,这让我们信心大增。

tí jiāo le17,000 17,000 duō zhāng tú, piàn , zhè ràng wǒ mén xìn xīn。

We were very encouraged, after over 17,000 pictures were submitted.
9
这一图书奖项是世界上同类奖项中分量最重的。

zhè yī tú shū jiǎng xiàng shì shì jiè shàng tóng lèi jiǎng xiàng zhōng fēn liáng zuì zhòng de。

This book prize is the biggest of its kind in the world.
10
机场地勤人员试图阻止这位飞行员驾机起飞。

jī cháng dì qín rén yuán shì tú zǔ zhǐ zhè wèi fēi háng yuán jià jī qǐ fēi。

The airport ground crew tried to dissuade the pilot from taking off.

Cultural Notes for 图

💡Did you know?

在中国文化中,图不仅仅是艺术的表达,也是信息的传递。许多传统的中国画都包含了深刻的哲理和自然元素,这些通常通过图的形式表现出来。

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, maps (地图, dìtú) are essential for navigation, reflecting the importance of planning and organization in daily life. The use of diagrams in education also emphasizes clarity and visual learning.

Word Family of 图

Words Containing This Character20
diagram
试图shìtúto attempt試圖
图片túpiànimage圖片
地图dìtúmap地圖
图书馆túshūguǎnlibrary圖書館
企图qǐtúto attempt企圖
图像túxiàngimage圖像
图案tú’àndesign圖案
意图yìtúintent意圖
图书túshūbooks (in a library or bookstore)圖書
西雅图Seattle, Washington State西雅圖
拼图jigsaw puzzle拼圖
图形túxíngpicture圖形
图表túbiǎochart圖表
心电图electrocardiogram (ECG)心電圖
图纸túzhǐblueprint圖紙
蓝图lántúblueprint藍圖
图画túhuàdrawing圖畫
草图a sketch草圖
妄图to try in vain妄圖
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 图 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 图

Some common phrases using 图 include '图书馆' (túshūguǎn), meaning 'library,' and '图表' (túbiǎo), meaning 'chart.' These phrases illustrate how 图 can denote visual representations in different settings.