HSK 5, unknown, 9 strokes, radical 穴, rank #9580, Hard
tū(tu1) T1
1to dash
2to move forward quickly
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March 24, 2026
突tū(tu1)
The character 突 (tū) conveys the idea of suddenness, abruptness, and quick movement. It is commonly used in contexts where something breaks through or protrudes unexpectedly, such as a sudden dash or an unexpected event. This character often appears in phrases related to action and urgency.
Strokes9Radical穴Frequency#9580DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sudden changes or unexpected events are often viewed with caution or can signal an opportunity. The concept of a sudden breakthrough is celebrated in stories of innovation and success, highlighting the importance of being prepared for the unexpected.
Memory Tip
Think of 突 (tū) as a sudden 'thud' of something bursting through a wall. The left side, 窗 (chuāng), resembles a window, suggesting a space that can suddenly be broken through. Imagine a person dashing through a window unexpectedly, making the sound 'tū' as they go.
Meanings of 突
tū(tu1)
1to dash
2to move forward quickly
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 突
突Simplified
9Strokes
穴Radical
副形词xíngróngcíadj-adverb (adj.-adv.)Part of Speech
#9580Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5
Podcast: 突
Podcast: 突
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AI Study Notes for 突
Quick Contrast
突 (tū) vs 猛 (měng) — use 突 for suddenness or abruptness, while 猛 emphasizes intensity or ferocity.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 突 (tū) as a sudden 'thud' of something bursting through a wall. The left side, 窗 (chuāng), resembles a window, suggesting a space that can suddenly be broken through. Imagine a person dashing through a window unexpectedly, making the sound 'tū' as they go.
Usage Notes
When using 突, it's important to match the tone correctly, as it can change meanings. Common collocations include 突然 (tūrán - suddenly) and 突破 (tūpò - to break through). Avoid mixing it up with similar-sounding words like 'tu' in Taiwan pronunciation, which can lead to confusion.
HSK Study Tips
Although 突 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects well with other action-oriented words at the same level, like 跑 (pǎo - to run) and 冲 (chōng - to rush). Focus on using it in phrases to describe sudden actions or events.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sudden changes or unexpected events are often viewed with caution or can signal an opportunity. The concept of a sudden breakthrough is celebrated in stories of innovation and success, highlighting the importance of being prepared for the unexpected.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 突 with other similar characters, leading to mistakes in context. For instance, saying '我突了去商店' (Wǒ tū le qù shāngdiàn) instead of '我冲去商店' (Wǒ chōng qù shāngdiàn), which means 'I dashed to the store.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 突
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Grammar Patterns of 突
突 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 10 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.
Mullins knocked me off-balance with his abrupt change of subject.
7
这架喷气式飞机突然着火，急速坠地。
zhè jià pēn qì shì fēi jī tū rán zháo huǒ， ， jí sù zhuì。
The jet burst into flames and plummeted to the ground.
8
他朝他的兄弟吼叫，脖子上青筋暴突。
tā zhāo tā de xiōng dì hǒu jiào， ， bó zǐ shàng qīng jīn bào。
He shouted at his brother, his neck veins bulging.
9
鲍勃死于由他的生活方式引起的心脏病突发。
bào bó sǐ yú yóu tā de shēng huó fāng shì yǐn qǐ de xīn zāng bìng tū fā。
Bob died of a heart attack, brought on by his lifestyle.
10
他突然感到腹部一阵剧烈疼痛。
tā tū rán gǎn dào fù bù yī zhèn jù liè téng tòng。
He was struck by a stabbing pain in his midriff.
Cultural Notes for 突
💡Did you know?
The character 突 combines elements that represent a dog (犬) rushing out of a cave (穴). This visual representation highlights the idea of sudden movement or an unexpected action, reflecting both the literal and figurative meanings in the language.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, sudden changes or unexpected events are often viewed with caution or can signal an opportunity. The concept of a sudden breakthrough is celebrated in stories of innovation and success, highlighting the importance of being prepared for the unexpected.
Word Family of 突
Compounds4
堗
揬
鶟
鼵
Words Containing This Character20
突然tūránsudden
突破tūpòto break through
突出tūchūprominent
冲突chōngtūconflict衝突
突tūto dash
突发tūfāsudden outburst突發
突击tūjīassault突擊
突袭surprise attack突襲
突变mutation突變
突击队commando unit突擊隊
突如其来tūrúqíláito arise abruptly突如其來
唐突to be rude
突然间suddenly突然間
突围to break a siege突圍
突起projection
突厥Turkic ethnic group
突飞猛进to advance by leaps and bounds突飛猛進
突尼斯Tunisia
突兀lofty or towering
突显conspicuous突顯
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 突然 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 突
Synonyms for 突 include 冲 (chōng), which means to rush or charge, and 突然 (tūrán), which means sudden. These words can be used interchangeably in contexts related to quick movements or unexpected actions.
Yes, 突 can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is versatile and can describe physical actions as well as metaphorical breakthroughs, making it suitable for various situations.
突 (tū) means to dash or to move forward quickly. It can also refer to something bulging or protruding. Additionally, it signifies breaking through or rushing out in various contexts.
You can use 突 in sentences to describe an action of sudden movement or breakthrough. For example, '他突然突出来了' means 'He suddenly dashed out.' It's often used to convey urgency or a sudden change.
突 (tū) emphasizes the action of breaking through or sudden movement, while 突然 (tūrán) specifically means 'suddenly' and is used to describe timing.
Yes, 突 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in descriptions of events or actions.
Yes, 突破 (tūpò - to break through) and 突出 (tūchū - to stand out) are commonly used phrases that incorporate this character.
