Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
兔(兎)tù(tu4)
The character 兔 (tù) refers to a rabbit or hare, commonly associated with agility and swiftness. It is often used in various contexts, such as in idioms or cultural references, symbolizing fertility and good luck. In Chinese culture, the rabbit is also one of the twelve zodiac animals, representing peace and harmony.
Strokes8Radical儿Frequency#4781DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the rabbit is celebrated during the Lantern Festival and is associated with the moon, particularly in the legend of the Moon Goddess Chang'e. The image of the jade rabbit is often depicted in art and folklore.
Memory Tip
Imagine a rabbit hopping around, its big ears perked up, as if listening for danger. The character 兔 resembles a rabbit with its rounded top and long ears. The pronunciation 'tù' can be remembered by thinking of 'two' rabbits playing together.
Meanings of 兔
tù(tu4)
1rabbit, hare
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 兔
兔Simplified
兎Traditional
8Strokes
儿Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4781Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 兔
Podcast: 兔
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 兔
Quick Contrast
兔 (tù) vs 狐 (hú) — use 兔 when referring specifically to rabbits or hares, while 狐 refers to foxes.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a rabbit hopping around, its big ears perked up, as if listening for danger. The character 兔 resembles a rabbit with its rounded top and long ears. The pronunciation 'tù' can be remembered by thinking of 'two' rabbits playing together.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 兔; it's pronounced with a falling tone, which distinguishes it from other similar-sounding words. Common collocations include 兔子 (tùzi) meaning 'rabbit' and 兔年 (tùnián) meaning 'Year of the Rabbit'. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts, as it is generally more casual.
HSK Study Tips
While the character 兔 is not included in HSK levels, it connects well with animals vocabulary, which is crucial for HSK Level 1 and 2. Students should focus on recognizing this character in phrases and idioms related to animals, as well as practicing its pronunciation.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the rabbit is celebrated during the Lantern Festival and is associated with the moon, particularly in the legend of the Moon Goddess Chang'e. The image of the jade rabbit is often depicted in art and folklore.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 兔 with similar-sounding characters due to tone differences. For example, saying 'tu4' instead of 'tù' can lead to misunderstandings, as the tones change the meaning completely.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 兔
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 兔 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 兔 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 兔
兔 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
该疾病一下子就使4,000万只____子丧命。
The disease wiped out 40 million rabbits at a stroke.
Rabbits still manage to find a way in. I am sure that some have even taken to gnawing through the metal.
Cultural Notes for 兔
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the rabbit is celebrated during the Lantern Festival and is associated with the moon, particularly in the legend of the Moon Goddess Chang'e. The image of the jade rabbit is often depicted in art and folklore.
Word Family of 兔
Compounds9
逸yi4to flee, to escape, to break loose
冤yuan1injustice
菟tu2creeper, parasitic vine; Cuscuta sinensis
堍tu4embankment
嬔
毚chan2greedy; cunning
鵵
婏
寃
Words Containing This Character15
兔tùvariant of 兔[tù]兎
兔子tùzihare
兔崽子brat
野兔hare
守株待兔shǒuzhūdàitùto wait idly for opportunities
兔年Year of the Rabbit (e.g. 2011)
兔唇hare lip (birth defect)
玉兔the moon
兔子不吃窝边草A rabbit doesn't eat the grass by its own burrow (idiom); One shouldn't do anything to harm one's neighbors.兔子不吃窩邊草
兔死狐悲lit. if the rabbit dies, the fox grieves (idiom); fig. to have sympathy with a like-minded person in distress
狡兔三窟lit. a crafty rabbit has three burrows
兔死狗烹lit. to boil the hound once it caught the rabbit (idiom)
不见兔子不撒鹰one doesn't act without some incentive不見兔子不撒鷹
兔热病tularemia兔熱病
天兔座Lepus (constellation)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 逸 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 兔
The word for rabbit in Chinese is 兔子 (tùzi).
The rabbit symbolizes peace, harmony, and fertility, and is one of the twelve zodiac animals.
Yes, 兔 is used in idioms such as '兔起鹘落' (tù qǐ hú luò), meaning to act quickly or decisively.
