倒 (dào) - to fall & to collapse

倒Tone 4

dào ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

倒 · dào

to fall;

to collapse;

to invert;

to pour;

to change;

to fail (in business)

to fallto collapseto invert

Usage highlights

collapsepour teago bankruptupside downreverse orderthrow out garbage

Synonyms

  • 跌— to fall, drop
  • 塌— to collapse, cave in
  • 倾— to tilt, pour out

Antonyms

  • 立— to stand, erect
  • 起— to rise, stand up
  • 正— upright, correct

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The tree fell down (树倒了).
  • Please pour me a cup of tea (请给我倒杯茶).
  • The company went bankrupt (公司倒闭了).
  • He is standing upside down (他倒立着).

Collocations

  • collapse(倒塌)
  • pour tea(倒茶)
  • go bankrupt(倒闭)
  • upside down(倒立)
  • reverse order(倒序)
  • throw out garbage(倒垃圾)

Idioms

  • Everything is topsy-turvy(颠三倒四)
  • Pour out one's grievances(倒苦水)
  • Upside down and inside out(倒颠乾坤)
  • Bankrupt and homeless(倾家倒产)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Represents both physical falling and metaphorical reversal or failure.
  • In business contexts, strongly associated with bankruptcy and financial collapse.
  • Used in tea culture for the specific action of pouring tea ceremoniously.

FAQ