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March 24, 2026
歹徒dǎitú(dai3tu2)
The term '歹徒' refers to a person who engages in criminal or immoral activities, such as a gangster or evildoer. It is commonly used in contexts relating to crime, law enforcement, and discussions about societal safety. The word carries a negative connotation, emphasizing the malevolent nature of the individual.
Frequency#9216DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, discussions about crime and morality are often influenced by historical events and social issues, such as the impact of organized crime in urban areas. The concept of '歹徒' reflects societal fears and the importance placed on community safety.
Memory Tip
Think of '歹' (dǎi) as a 'bad' or 'evil' person, and '徒' (tú) as a 'follower' or 'companion.' Together, you can visualize a 'bad companion' or 'evil follower'—a perfect image of a gangster. The pronunciation 'dai3 tu2' might remind you of a 'daring two' who take risks in their criminal endeavors.
Meanings of 歹徒
dǎitú(dai3tu2)
1evil-doer
2malefactor
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About 歹徒
歹徒Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#9216Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 歹徒
Podcast: 歹徒
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AI Study Notes for 歹徒
Quick Contrast
恶徒 (è tú) — use 歹徒 for a broader range of criminality, while 恶徒 emphasizes moral depravity.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of '歹' (dǎi) as a 'bad' or 'evil' person, and '徒' (tú) as a 'follower' or 'companion.' Together, you can visualize a 'bad companion' or 'evil follower'—a perfect image of a gangster. The pronunciation 'dai3 tu2' might remind you of a 'daring two' who take risks in their criminal endeavors.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing '歹徒'; the third tone on '歹' can sometimes be confused with the second tone. This term is generally used in more formal contexts, such as news reports or legal discussions, rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include '歹徒行为' (criminal behavior) and '捉拿歹徒' (capture a malefactor).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, '歹徒' connects with vocabulary related to crime and law, such as '犯罪' (crime) and '罪犯' (criminal). Students should focus on understanding its usage in various contexts, especially in written language, as it often appears in news articles and legal texts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, discussions about crime and morality are often influenced by historical events and social issues, such as the impact of organized crime in urban areas. The concept of '歹徒' reflects societal fears and the importance placed on community safety.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '歹徒' with '坏人' (bad person), which is more general. For example, saying '他是个坏人' (He is a bad person) can be correct, but using '歹徒' would be more appropriate in specific criminal contexts. Additionally, omitting the correct tones can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 歹徒
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Grammar Patterns of 歹徒
歹徒 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 5 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
这伙____如此胆大妄为、厚颜无耻，让我很是震惊。
I was shocked at the audacity and brazenness of the gangsters.
I was shocked at the audacity and brazenness of the gangsters.
2
持枪歹徒朝天扫射了一排子弹。
chí qiāng dǎi tú zhāo tiān sǎo shè le yī pái zǐ dàn。
A gunman fired off a volley of shots into the air.
3
持枪歹徒坐上一辆由同伙驾驶的摩托车逃逸。
chí qiāng dǎi tú zuò shàng yī liàng yóu tóng huǒ jià shǐ de mó tuō chē táo yì。
The gunman escaped on a motorcycle being ridden by an accomplice.
4
持枪歹徒不慌不忙地走开，坐上一辆等候的汽车逃走了。
chí qiāng dǎi tú bù huāng bù máng dì zǒu kāi， ， zuò shàng yī liàng děng hòu de qì chē táo zǒu。
The gunmen calmly walked away and escaped in a waiting car.
5
他的车遭遇拦劫，随后他被4名持枪歹徒劫持。
tā de chē zāo yù lán jié， ， suí hòu tā4 bèi 4 míng chí qiāng dǎi tú。
His car was held up and he was abducted by four gunmen.
6
经过10个小时的谈判，持枪歹徒终于投降了。
jīng guò10 10 gè xiǎo shí de tán， pàn ， chí qiāng dǎi tú zhōng yú tóu。
Finally, after ten hours of negotiations, the gunman gave himself up.
7
有过交火，其间那名持枪歹徒受伤了。
yǒu guò jiāo huǒ， ， qí jiān nà míng chí qiāng dǎi tú shòu shāng。
There was an exchange of fire during which the gunman was wounded.
8
警方说他们有信心抓住那个持枪歹徒。
jǐng fāng shuō tā mén yǒu xìn xīn zhuā zhù nà gè chí qiāng dǎi tú。
Police say they are confident of catching the gunman.
9
持枪歹徒在他去机场的路上截击了他。
chí qiāng dǎi tú zài tā qù jī cháng de lù shàng jié jī le tā。
Gunmen intercepted him on his way to the airport.
10
歹徒们打劫后把 赃款 分掉了.
dǎi tú mén dǎ jié hòu bǎ zāng kuǎn fēn.
After the robbery the crooks had a share - out ( of the stolen money ) .
Cultural Notes for 歹徒
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, discussions about crime and morality are often influenced by historical events and social issues, such as the impact of organized crime in urban areas. The concept of '歹徒' reflects societal fears and the importance placed on community safety.
Frequently Asked Questions about 歹徒
No, '歹徒' is more formal and typically used in contexts related to crime or law enforcement.
Yes, it can refer to any individual engaged in immoral or illegal activities, not just violent criminals.
While both refer to criminals, '歹徒' emphasizes the evil nature of the person, whereas '罪犯' is a more neutral term for a lawbreaker.
