(verb complement denoting completion or result of an action)
HSK 1, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #35, Easy
到
dào
to go to, to arrive
HSK 1, v, 8 strokes, radical 刂, rank #35, Easy
dào(dao4) T4
1to (a place)
2until (a time)
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March 24, 2026
到dào(dao4)
The character 到 (dào) primarily means 'to arrive at a place' or 'to reach a destination.' It can also denote the completion of an action or the idea of 'until' in terms of time, making it versatile in both spatial and temporal contexts.
Strokes8Radical刂Frequency#35DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, punctuality is valued, and the concept of arriving on time is often linked to respect. The use of 到 can reflect both physical arrival and the importance of being timely in social and professional settings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a traveler reaching their destination, exclaiming '到!' as they arrive. The character features the radical for 'movement' and looks like someone walking towards a place, making it easier to remember that it signifies arrival.
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AI Study Notes for 到
Quick Contrast
到 (dào) vs 赶 (gǎn) — use 到 for indicating arrival at a destination, while 赶 emphasizes the act of hurrying to reach that destination.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a traveler reaching their destination, exclaiming '到!' as they arrive. The character features the radical for 'movement' and looks like someone walking towards a place, making it easier to remember that it signifies arrival.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 到 with 进 (jìn), which means 'to enter.' Remember that 到 is used when you reach a destination rather than when you just enter a space. It is used in both formal and informal contexts but is more frequently encountered in daily conversation.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 到 connects with verbs of motion and location. Students should focus on using it in sentences that express arrival, such as '我到了' (I have arrived) and practice combining it with time expressions for clarity.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, punctuality is valued, and the concept of arriving on time is often linked to respect. The use of 到 can reflect both physical arrival and the importance of being timely in social and professional settings.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is using 到 inappropriately with verbs that don't imply movement; for instance, saying '到吃' (arrive to eat) instead of simply '吃' (to eat). Remember, 到 should relate to reaching a location or completion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 到
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Grammar Patterns of 到
到 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.
I love opera and last year I got tickets for Covent Garden.
Cultural Notes for 到
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, punctuality is valued, and the concept of arriving on time is often linked to respect. The use of 到 can reflect both physical arrival and the importance of being timely in social and professional settings.
Word Family of 到
Compounds3
倒dao3to fall
捯
菿
Words Containing This Character20
到dàoup to
得到dédàoto get
找到zhǎodàoto find
达到dádàoto reach達到
到底dàodǐfinally
到了at last
感到gǎndàoto feel
想到xiǎngdàoto think of
受到shòudàoto receive (praise, an education, punishment etc)
听到tīngdàoto hear聽到
不到not to arrive
见到jiàndàoto see見到
回到huídàoto return to
来到láidàoto come來到
遇到yùdàoto meet
收到shōudàoto receive
直到zhídàountil
到处dàochùeverywhere到處
到达dàodáto reach到達
做到zuòdàoto accomplish
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 倒 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 到
You can say '到 + location' to indicate arriving at a place, for example, '到学校' (arrive at school).
Yes, 到 can be used with time to indicate 'until', like '到明天' (until tomorrow).
Yes, 到 can be used in both spoken and written Chinese, but in formal contexts, it may be paired with more specific verbs to clarify meaning.
