Definitions

(noun) disciple; apprentice
(adverb) on foot
(adjective) empty; in vain
(adverb) only; merely

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. also represents the meaning. Based on the original meaning "go on foot". The meaning later shifted to "disciple".

About

The character 徒 is composed of the radical 彳 (a step or walking) on the left, indicating movement, with 土 (earth) above 疋 (foot) on the right, reinforcing the idea of walking on foot. Its original meaning referred to traveling empty-handed or on foot without a vehicle. This sense extended to denote an infantry soldier, and later a follower or disciple who walks behind a master, as well as the concept of doing something in vain.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 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

这个弟很聪明。

Zhège túdì hěn cōngmíng.

This apprentice is very smart.

我们步去公园。

Wǒmen túbù qù gōngyuán.

We go to the park on foot.

手打开了瓶子。

Tā túshǒu dǎkāile píngzi.

He opened the bottle bare-handed.

你的努力是劳的。

Nǐ de nǔlì shì túláo de.

Your effort is in vain.

他是虔诚的信

Tā shì qiánchéng de xìntú.

He is a devout believer.

警察逮捕了那些暴

Jǐngchá dàibǔle nàxiē bàotú.

The police arrested those rioters.

这个学正在学习手艺。

Zhège xuétú zhèngzài xuéxí shǒuyì.

This apprentice is learning a craft.

他的计划增烦恼。

Tā de jìhuà tú zēng fánnǎo.

His plan only adds to the trouble.