(dōu) — (noun) pocket; small bag (as in clothing or accessories); (verb) to take responsibility for; to bear (a burden, cost, etc.); (verb) to go around; to circle (used in compounds like 兜圈子, 兜风)

Definition

兜 (dōu) is a colloquial verb meaning 'to take responsibility for' (兜着) — more casual than the formal 负责 or 肩负. As a noun, 'pocket' is less common than 口袋.

noun
pocketsmall bag (as in clothing or accessories)
verb
to take responsibility forto bear (a burden, cost, etc.)to go aroundto circle (used in compounds like 兜圈子, 兜风)
Measure word ·

Examples

  • Wǒ bǎ shǒu jī fàng zài dōu lǐ.
    I put my phone in my pocket.
  • Chū le wèn tí tā yí gè rén dōu zhe.
    He took responsibility for the problem all by himself.
  • Zhōu mò wǒ men kāi chē chū qù dōu fēng.
    On weekends, we go out for a drive.

Origin

Compound ideograph
六书liùshū
会意huìyì

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 𠑹𠑹𠑹cover
  • màohead

兜 combines 𠑹, a cover, with 皃, a head, to picture a helmet.

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