牍 (dú) - Dú — wooden writing tablet or slip used & official documents

牍Tone 2

dú ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

丁恩

牍 · dú

Dú — wooden writing tablet or slip used in ancient China;

official documents;

correspondence.

Dú — wooden writing tablet or slip usedofficial documentscorrespondence.

Usage highlights

Wooden writing tabletBamboo and wooden slipsOfficial documentCorrespondenceDocument caseDocument box

Synonyms

  • 简— bamboo slip (similar writing material)
  • 札— wooden tablet for writing
  • 文书— official document

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Ancient officials wrote on wooden tablets (木牍).
  • He received an official document (公牍).
  • The bamboo and wooden slips were important writing materials (简牍).
  • She studies ancient correspondence (尺牍).

Collocations

  • Wooden writing tablet(木牍)
  • Bamboo and wooden slips(简牍)
  • Official document(公牍)
  • Correspondence(尺牍)
  • Document case(牍函)
  • Document box(牍匣)

Idioms

  • Overwhelmed with documents(案牍劳形)
  • Buried in official paperwork(文牍如山)
  • Excessive paperwork(连篇累牍)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Wooden tablets (牍) were writing materials used before paper became widespread in ancient China.
  • Often used alongside bamboo slips (简) for official documents and correspondence.
  • Represents ancient bureaucratic systems and literary culture.
  • The character appears in idioms describing bureaucratic red tape and excessive paperwork.

FAQ