竇 (dòu) - Dou — a surname & a hole, opening, or sinus

竇Tone 4

dòu ｜ 20 strokes ｜ radical:

丁恩

竇 · dòu

Dou — a surname;

a hole, opening, or sinus;

a cavity or anatomical passage;

in ancient times, referred to a water channel or drain.

Dou — a surnamea hole, opening, or sinusa cavity or anatomical passage

Usage highlights

Dou surnameNasal sinusMaxillary sinusFrontal sinusSinusitisWater channel

Synonyms

  • 孔— hole, opening
  • 洞— cave, cavity
  • 穴— cavity, den

Antonyms

  • 实— solid, full (opposite of hollow/cavity)
  • 堵— block, stop up (opposite of passage)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The Dou surname is common in some regions (窦姓).
  • The maxillary sinus is a facial cavity (上颌窦).
  • Ancient water channels were called dou (窦, water passage).
  • The character appears in historical names like Dou Xian (窦宪).

Collocations

  • Dou surname(窦姓)
  • Nasal sinus(鼻窦)
  • Maxillary sinus(上颌窦)
  • Frontal sinus(额窦)
  • Sinusitis(窦炎)
  • Water channel(窦, in ancient texts)

Idioms

  • Break through the door and enter the hole(穿窬踰窦)
  • Seeking a way out(情窦初开)
  • The Dou family's strategy(窦家之计)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • As a surname, Dou has historical roots, notably from the Dou clan of the Eastern Han dynasty.
  • In ancient texts, 窦 referred to water channels or drains, later extended to anatomical passages.
  • The character appears in classical Chinese literature with both literal (hole) and metaphorical (opening, beginning) meanings.

FAQ