Definitions

(verb) to block; to obstruct
(noun) wall

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "堵" combines the earth radical "土" with the phonetic component "者", a structure that has remained unchanged and directly informs both its pronunciation and its original semantic connection to earthen barriers like walls or dikes. Initially representing such physical constructions, its meaning naturally extended over time to encompass the verbal sense of blocking or obstructing, thereby applying to both material impediments, as in clogged passages, and more abstract forms of hindrance, such as emotional stifling or logistical delays. This shift from a noun denoting a static object to a verb describing an action reflects the character's adaptive capacity within the language while retaining the foundational clue offered by its earth-related radical.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这条路经常车。

Zhè tiáo lù jīngcháng dǔchē.

This road often has traffic jams.

下水道住了。

Xiàshuǐdào dǔzhù le.

The drain is clogged.

因为事故,道路塞了。

Yīnwèi shìgù, dàolù dǔsè le.

Because of an accident, the road is blocked.

他试图住漏洞。

Tā shìtú dǔzhù lòudòng.

He tried to plug the leak.

如果管道塞,水就会流不出来。

Rúguǒ guǎndào dǔsè, shuǐ jiù huì liú bù chūlái.

If the pipe is clogged, water won't flow out.

交通拥问题需要解决。

Jiāotōng yōngdǔ wèntí xūyào jiějué.

The traffic congestion problem needs to be solved.

早上高峰期,地铁站里满了人。

Zǎoshang gāofēngqī, dìtiě zhàn lǐ dǔ mǎn le rén.

During the morning rush hour, the subway station is packed with people.

经济制裁旨在住该国的资金流动。

Jīngjì zhìcái zhǐ zài dǔzhù gāi guó de zījīn liúdòng.

Economic sanctions aim to block the country's capital flow.