About
The character "到" is structured as a phono-semantic compound, incorporating the semantic component "至", which denotes arrival, alongside the phonetic component "刂", derived from "刀" to suggest pronunciation. Its core meaning began as a verb indicating physical arrival at a location, and over time it expanded to function as a preposition specifying direction or an endpoint in space or time, such as in phrases denoting movement toward a place or continuation until a moment. The form of "到" has not been subject to simplification, and its composition with "至" and "刂" defines its construction in contemporary usage.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我看到你了。
他到了学校。
我们晚上到。
请你到这里来。
他没收到信。
你什么时候到上海？
等到下雨的时候，我们就不出去了。
尽管遇到了很多困难，他还是坚持到了最后。