兜

兠

dōu

② + コ + 儿 + 白

HSK 2.0Level 6

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

dōu (noun) pocket; bag

dōu (verb) to wrap up; to hold in a bag

dōu (verb) to move in a circle

dōu (verb) to canvas; to solicit

Etymology

Depicts a person with a face (皃) wearing a helmet. Based on the original meaning "helmet worn by warriors". The meaning of this character has shifted over time and now means "pouch".

About

兜 is formed by the radical 儿 (human legs/person) beneath an intricate top portion that once pictured a face (皃) under a helmet. In its earliest oracle bone and bronze inscriptions, it denoted a warrior's helmet for battle protection. Over centuries, the association with a hard helmet softened into the concept of a flexible wrapper: first a pocket or pouch carried on the body, later any small bag or sack. From the noun came several verbs: to wrap up and catch an object in a cloth, and figuratively, to take responsibility for a complicated situation.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们去海边兜风吧。

Wǒmen qù hǎibiān dōufēng ba.

Let's go for a ride to the seaside.

他的裤兜里有一把钥匙。

Tā de kùdōu lǐ yǒu yī bǎ yàoshi.

There is a key in his trouser pocket.

他在街上兜售小玩具。

Tā zài jiē shàng dōushòu xiǎo wánjù.

He is peddling small toys on the street.

妈妈在衣兜里找到了钱。

Māma zài yīdōu lǐ zhǎodào le qián.

Mom found money in her clothing pocket.

这个兜子可以装很多水果。

Zhège dōuzi kěyǐ zhuāng hěn duō shuǐguǒ.

This bag can hold a lot of fruit.

公司会为这个项目兜底。

Gōngsī huì wèi zhège xiàngmù dōudǐ.

The company will cover the bottom for this project.

我们兜兜转转又回到了原点。

Wǒmen dōudōuzhuǎnzhuǎn yòu huí dào le yuándiǎn.

We went around in circles and returned to the starting point.

他兜里揣着梦想踏上了旅程。

Tā dōu lǐ chuāi zhe mèngxiǎng tà shàng le lǚchéng.

With dreams in his pocket, he embarked on the journey.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: ②

Component: コ

Component: 儿

Component: 白

兜