塗 (tú) - To smear, spread, daub, apply (paint, plaster, etc.) & to scribble, doodle

塗Tone 2

tú ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

婷婉

塗 · tú

To smear, spread, daub, apply (paint, plaster, etc.

);

to scribble, doodle;

to blot out, erase;

mud, mire;

to defile;

a path, road;

a surname.

To smear, spread, daub, apply (paint, plaster, etc.)to scribble, doodleto blot out, erase

Usage highlights

Apply paintScribble randomlyApply ointmentMuddy pathLife's hardshipsBlot out writing

Synonyms

  • 抹— to smear, wipe
  • 擦— to rub, apply
  • 漆— to paint, lacquer
  • 途— road, path (semantic variant)

Antonyms

  • 擦— to erase, wipe off (in some contexts)
  • 清— clear, clean

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He painted the wall (塗墙).
  • The child scribbled on the paper (在纸上乱塗).
  • Apply medicine to the wound (塗药).
  • The road was muddy (道路泥塗).

Collocations

  • Apply paint(塗油漆)
  • Scribble randomly(乱塗乱画)
  • Apply ointment(塗药膏)
  • Muddy path(泥塗)
  • Life's hardships(生塗)
  • Blot out writing(塗抹字迹)

Idioms

  • To be at the end of one's rope(窮途末路)
  • To follow the same disastrous road(重蹈覆辙)
  • To add the finishing touch(畫龍點睛)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • 塗 is the original form for 'path/road' (途) and 'mud/mire' (泥), showing its dual meaning of physical substance and direction.
  • In ancient texts, '塗' often symbolized life's journey or difficult circumstances, as seen in idioms like 窮途末路 (at a dead end).
  • The character appears in historical place names and was used as a surname among some Chinese communities.

FAQ