Definitions

dòu surname Dou
dòu (literary) hole; aperture; (anatomy) cavity; sinus

Etymology

To buy someone off ; a nose-hole

About

The character 窦, with its traditional form 竇, structurally integrates the semantic component 穴, denoting a cavity or hole, alongside the component 賣, which historically served a phonetic function while occasionally implying a transactional or passage-like nuance. Its earliest meanings consistently revolved around concrete openings, such as drainage conduits or doorways, aligning directly with its pictorial hints. Over time, the term's application broadened to describe various types of apertures in both literal and figurative contexts, and it gradually solidified as a prevalent surname, a semantic development probably influenced by geographical features or familial origins linked to such structures. The character's conceptual journey from indicating physical voids to serving as a personal identifier demonstrates a natural linguistic progression within Chinese script.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

老师今天来了。

Dòu lǎoshī jīntiān láile.

Teacher Dou came today.

我的好朋友姓

Wǒ de hǎo péngyǒu xìng Dòu.

My good friend's surname is Dou.

他患有鼻炎。

Tā huàn yǒu bí dòu yán.

He suffers from sinusitis.

问题很难受。

Bí dòu wèntí hěn nánshòu.

Sinus problems are very uncomfortable.

房结是心脏的起搏点。

Dòu fáng jié shì xīnzàng de qǐbó diǎn.

The sinoatrial node is the pacemaker of the heart.

医生诊断他为性心动过速。

Yīshēng zhěnduàn tā wéi dòu xìng xīndòng guò sù.

The doctor diagnosed him with sinus tachycardia.

这个病例涉及上颌囊肿。

Zhège bìnglì shèjí shànghé dòu nángzhǒng.

This case involves a maxillary sinus cyst.

道造影用于检查瘘管。

Dòu dào zàoyǐng yòngyú jiǎnchá lòuguǎn.

Sinus tract imaging is used to examine fistulas.