牘 (dú) - Writing tablet & wooden slip used for writing in ancient China

牘Tone 2

dú ｜ 19 strokes ｜ radical:

丁恩

牘 · dú

Writing tablet;

wooden slip used for writing in ancient China;

official document;

correspondence.

Writing tabletwooden slip used for writing in ancient Chinaofficial document

Usage highlights

Wooden writing tabletBamboo and wooden slipsOfficial documentCorrespondenceMemorial to the throneDocument case

Synonyms

  • 簡— bamboo slip (writing material)
  • 札— wooden tablet (for writing)
  • 文書— document; official paper

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Ancient scribes wrote on wooden slips (木牘).
  • The official submitted a memorial (奏牘).
  • They exchanged letters (尺牘) regularly.
  • Archaeologists found inscribed bamboo slips (簡牘).

Collocations

  • Wooden writing tablet(木牘)
  • Bamboo and wooden slips(簡牘)
  • Official document(文牘)
  • Correspondence(尺牘)
  • Memorial to the throne(奏牘)
  • Document case(牘囊)

Idioms

  • Piles of official documents(案牘勞形)
  • Excessive paperwork(文牘主義)
  • Overwhelmed with documents(連篇累牘)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Ancient writing material made of wood or bamboo, used before paper became widespread.
  • Represents early Chinese bureaucracy and record-keeping systems.
  • Symbolizes classical scholarship and administrative work in imperial China.

FAQ