徒 (tú) - Disciple, follower & apprentice

徒Tone 2

tú ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

婷婉

徒 · tú

Disciple, follower;

apprentice;

on foot;

empty, bare;

merely, only;

in vain;

person (usually with negative connotation).

Disciple, followerapprenticeon foot

Usage highlights

ApprenticeDiscipleOn footPrison sentenceIn vainBare hands

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 师— teacher, master
  • 导— guide, lead

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He is a disciple of the master (师父的徒弟).
  • We walked there on foot (徒步前往).
  • This is merely an empty promise (这只是徒然的承诺).
  • He was sentenced to imprisonment (他被判徒刑).

Collocations

  • Apprentice(徒弟)
  • Disciple(门徒)
  • On foot(徒步)
  • Prison sentence(徒刑)
  • In vain(徒然)
  • Bare hands(徒手)

Idioms

  • Unable to do anything about it(徒唤奈何)
  • Futile effort(徒劳无功)
  • Good-for-nothing(酒囊饭袋之徒)
  • Bare-handed(徒手空拳)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian context, refers to students who follow a master's teachings.
  • In legal context, 徒刑 refers to imprisonment with forced labor in traditional Chinese law.
  • The character carries connotations of following, learning, and sometimes emptiness or futility.

FAQ