Meaning
to transmit; to lead; to guide; to conduct; to direct
Chinese: 引导、指导或传导。
Hear the Four Tones
The same syllable “dao” becomes a different word in each tone. 导 is the 3rd tone. Tap any tone to hear a native voice and see its pitch shape.
Stroke Order
Tap Animate to watch the strokes in order, or Practice to trace it yourself.
Common Words
- 领导lǐng dǎolead; leading; to lead; leadership
- 导演dǎo yǎnto direct; director (film etc)
- 指导zhǐ dǎoto guide; to direct; to instruct; coach
- 导致dǎo zhìto lead to; to create; to cause; to bring about
- 引导yǐn dǎoto guide; to lead (around); to conduct; to boot
Example Sentence
这位导游很热情。Zhè wèi dǎo yóu hěn rè qíng.This tour guide is very warm.
这位Zhè wèithis (person)导游dǎo yóutour guide很hěnvery热情rè qíngcordial。
Go deeper
Where this character comes from
巳 (here a path) plus 寸 (a hand): to lead by the hand — ‘to lead, guide, conduct; to instruct, direct; to conduct (heat/electricity)’ (导致, 引导, 导师). Simplified from 導.
A way to remember it
Lead by the hand (寸) — to guide; to conduct.