渡

dù

度 + 氵

HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

dù (verb) to cross; to pass through

dù (verb) to ferry

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 度 represents the sound.

Semantic: 氵 Phonetic: 度

About

渡 is a phono-semantic compound combining the water radical 氵 on the left, establishing its connection to bodies of water, and the component 度 (dù) on the right, which supplies the sound and also hints at measuring or traversing a distance. Its core meaning is the act of crossing a river or other body of water, leading to its common association with ferries and ferry crossings. Metaphorically, it has broadened to encompass navigating through difficult periods, overcoming crises, or helping someone else pass through challenging life transitions.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他们正在渡河。

Tāmen zhèngzài dù hé.

They are crossing the river.

我们需要渡船。

Wǒmen xūyào dùchuán.

We need a ferry boat.

渡口有很多人。

Dùkǒu yǒu hěnduō rén.

There are many people at the ferry crossing.

他渡过了一条大河。

Tā dùguòle yī tiáo dà hé.

He crossed a big river.

过渡时期很困难。

Guòdù shíqī hěn kùnnán.

The transition period is very difficult.

摆渡工人很辛苦。

Bǎidù gōngrén hěn xīnkǔ.

The ferry workers work very hard.

我们乘渡轮去对岸。

Wǒmen chéng dùlún qù duì'àn.

We take the ferry to go to the opposite shore.

在人生的河流中，我们要学会渡过难关。

Zài rénshēng de héliú zhōng, wǒmen yào xuéhuì dùguò nánguān.

In the river of life, we must learn to overcome difficulties.

Related Characters

Component: 度

Component: 氵

渡