Meanings of 倒
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About 倒
Podcast: 倒
Podcast: 倒
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AI Study Notes for 倒
倒 (dào) vs 跌 (diē) — use 倒 for broader contexts including metaphorical meanings, while 跌 specifically refers to falling or tripping physically.
Imagine a tower of blocks (representing 倒) that suddenly topples over. The character's left side (亻) suggests a person, while the right side (到) hints at arriving or 'coming down'. Picture a person arriving and then unexpectedly falling over to remember the pronunciation 'dǎo'.
Be cautious of the context in which you use 倒, as it can imply failure or unexpected results. It is often used in both formal and informal settings but may sound more dramatic in casual conversation. Common collocations include 倒下 (to fall down) and 倒闭 (to go bankrupt).
As an HSK Level 4 word, 倒 connects with other verbs related to movement and change, like 转 (zhuǎn - to turn) and 跌 (diē - to fall). Focus on its various meanings and practice using it in sentences to grasp its flexibility.
倒 is often associated with the Chinese concept of 'yin and yang', where balance is crucial, and falling can represent a necessary change or a new beginning. In traditional Chinese culture, falling can symbolize a shift that leads to growth or improvement.
Learners often confuse 倒 with other similar characters, such as 摔 (to fall) or 跌 (to tumble); remember that 倒 emphasizes a more general sense of inversion or failure. A mistake like saying '我倒了' (I fell) when meaning 'I fell down' could be corrected to '我摔倒了'.
Pronunciation of 倒
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Etymology of 倒
Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 到 represents the sound.
person
Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 倒
Identify the Components
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Write 倒
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Practice writing 倒 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 倒
倒 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 23 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.
Complete the Sentence
那天的风特别大，甚至连大树都被吹____了。
The wind that day was extremely strong — even big trees were blown down.
Example Sentences for 倒 (10)
Cultural Notes for 倒
倒 is often associated with the Chinese concept of 'yin and yang', where balance is crucial, and falling can represent a necessary change or a new beginning. In traditional Chinese culture, falling can symbolize a shift that leads to growth or improvement.
Word Family of 倒
Compound Meaning
What does 倒 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 倒
Yes, 倒 can describe metaphorical situations like failing in business or relationships, not just physical actions.