图 (tú) — (noun) picture, drawing, chart, map; (verb) to seek, to pursue, to scheme for
Definition
Most often the everyday noun 'picture / drawing / chart / map' (一张图). As a verb, 图 means 'to seek or scheme for' (often with a negative edge, like 图方便) — note 企图 is the more negative 'plot/attempt' sense.
noun
picturedrawingchartmap
verb
to seekto pursueto scheme for
Measure word · 张
Easily confused
- 国guólook-alikecountry, nation, state
- 涂túsound-aliketo apply (paint, cream, etc.), to smear, to daub
- 圈juānlook-aliketo confine (animals, people) in an enclosed space; to pen in; to lock up
- 园yuánlook-alikegarden; park; (in compounds) a place for a specific purpose (e.g., kindergarten, botanical garden)
- 圆yuánlook-alike(noun) circle
Examples
- 图。Zhè zhāng tú hěn piào liang.This picture is very beautiful.
- 图。Tā tú de shì fāng biàn.What he seeks is convenience.
- 图，。Bié tú pián yi, zhì liàng bù hǎo.Don't go for a cheap deal — the quality is bad.
Origin
Compound ideograph六书liùshū
会意huìyìTwo or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 圖; 图 is its simplified writing.
- 囗囗wéiwalled city
- 啚啚bǐ
The traditional form 圖 pairs 囗, a walled city, with 啚, an early form meaning remote areas or territory. The simplified 图 is a later abbreviation.
Appears in
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