Definitions

dào (verb) to mourn; to lament

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 悼, formed by the heart radical 忄 alongside the component 卓, etymologically links emotional anguish to the heart, with 卓 contributing a sense of profundity or elevation to that grief. Historically, its primary meaning has been to mourn or feel sorrow for the dead, a definition that has persisted through time with little alteration. While occasionally used in classical texts to denote regret or sorrow over broader circumstances, its central association with bereavement and funeral rites has remained dominant, reflecting the character's structural emphasis on inner sentiment.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们念逝去的亲人。

Wǒmen dàoniàn shìqù de qīnrén.

We mourn our deceased family members.

他写了一篇念文章。

Tā xiěle yī piān dàoniàn wénzhāng.

He wrote a memorial article.

全国人民沉痛念这位英雄。

Quánguó rénmín chéntòng dàoniàn zhè wèi yīngxióng.

The whole nation mourned this hero with deep grief.

朋友们都来参加他的追会。

Péngyǒumen dōu lái cānjiā tā de zhuīdàohuì.

Friends all came to attend his memorial service.

这首曲子表达了对逝去岁月的哀

Zhè shǒu qǔzi biǎodále duì shìqù suìyuè de āidào.

This piece of music expresses mourning for the bygone years.

他在墓前亡时,不禁泪流满面。

Tā zài mù qián dàowáng shí, bùjīn lèiliú mǎnmiàn.

When he mourned at the grave, he couldn't help but burst into tears.

这篇词情真意切,感人肺腑。

Zhè piān dàocí qíngzhēnyìqiè, gǎnrénfèifǔ.

This eulogy is sincere and heartfelt, deeply moving.

古伤今是许多文人作品的主题。

Dàogǔ shāngjīn shì xǔduō wénrén zuòpǐn de zhǔtí.

Mourning the past and grieving the present is a theme in many literary works.