Definitions

dòu (verb) to fight; to struggle; to compete
dǒu ( noun) dry measure for grain (decaliter); cup; dipper

Etymology

Pictograph of a ladle or dipper. In simplified Chinese is also used to mean "fight, struggle", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with a separate character .

About

The character '斗' originates from a pictographic depiction of a ladle or scoop, which historically represented a unit of dry measure, with its structural form abstractly suggesting a vessel with a handle. It also functions as the simplified counterpart to the traditional character '鬥', whose etymology pictorially represents two figures in confrontation, thus carrying the core meaning of fighting or contending. Over time, the semantic application of '斗' has broadened from its concrete measurement sense to encompass metaphorical struggles and competitive endeavors within compound words, while its graphical representation has gradually stabilized into the standardized strokes recognized today.

Example Sentences Hide

他们在蟋蟀。

Tāmen zài dòu xīshuài.

They are fighting crickets.

星在夜空中闪耀。

Běidǒuxīng zài yèkōng zhōng shǎnyào.

The Big Dipper shines in the night sky.

不过那个强壮的人。

Tā dòu bù guò nàgè qiángzhuàng de rén.

He can't defeat that strong person.

这个篷是红色的。

Zhège dǒupeng shì hóngsè de.

This cloak is red.

农民用量米。

Nóngmín yòng dǒu liáng mǐ.

Farmers use a dou to measure rice.

争中,他学会了勇敢。

Zài dòuzhēng zhōng, tā xuéhuìle yǒnggǎn.

In the struggle, he learned to be brave.

孩子们去,最后成了朋友。

Háizimen dòu lái dòu qù, zuìhòu chéngle péngyou.

The children fought back and forth, but finally became friends.

尽管他胆尝试,但结果并不理想。

Jǐnguǎn tā dǒudǎn chángshì, dàn jiéguǒ bìng bù lǐxiǎng.

Although he boldly tried, the result was not ideal.