Definition
徒 (tú) is a bound form (b.f.) in modern Chinese, meaning it always appears as part of compound words rather than standing alone. Its main senses include: (1) a disciple or follower (门徒, 信徒); (2) a person engaged in negative activities (匪徒, 暴徒); (3) 'in vain, to no purpose' (徒劳, 徒然); (4) 'on foot' (徒步); and (5) 'imprisonment' (徒刑). Learners should recognize 徒 as a versatile suffix or prefix that contributes these meanings to compounds.
b.f.
(bound form) disciplefollower (in compounds like 门徒, 信徒)(bound form) personoften derogatory (in compounds like 匪徒, 暴徒)(bound form) in vainmerely (in compounds like 徒劳, 徒然)
Examples
- 。Tā shì nà wèi zhùmíng jiàoshòu de mén tú.He is a disciple of that famous professor.
- 。Suǒyǒu de nǔlì dōu shì tú láo de.All the efforts were in vain.
- 。Zhège fěi tú yǐjīng bèi jǐngchá zhuāzhù le.This bandit has already been caught by the police.
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