dǒu
枓
Chinese unit of dry measure; grain container
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
Chinese unit of dry measure (decilitre)
archaicA traditional Chinese unit for measuring grain or other dry goods. Not commonly used in modern life except in historical or agricultural contexts.
Gǔ古
dài代
yī一
dǒu斗
mǐ米
dà大
gài概
shì是
shí十
shēng升
。
In ancient times, one dǒu of rice was roughly ten litres.
Tā他
mǎi买
le了
liǎng两
dǒu斗
huáng黄
dòu豆
。
He bought two dǒu of soybeans.
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Zhè这
ge个
chéng成
yǔ语
jiào叫
“
bù不
wèi为
wǔ五
dǒu斗
mǐ米
zhé折
yāo腰
”
。
This idiom is called 'not bending the waist for five dǒu of rice', meaning not compromising one's principles for a meagre salary.
noun
container for measuring or holding grain; a dipper
Refers to the physical container, often square with a handle. Can be used literally or metaphorically.
Tā他
yòng用
dǒu斗
gěi给
mǎ马
wèi喂
yàn燕
mài麦
。
He used a dipper to feed oats to the horse.
Běi北
dǒu斗
qī七
xīng星
xíng形
zhuàng状
xiàng像
ge个
sháo勺
zi子
，
suǒ所
yǐ以
jiào叫
“
dǒu斗
”
。
The Big Dipper constellation is shaped like a ladle, so it's called 'dǒu'.
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Zhè这
ge个
mù木
dǒu斗
yǐ已
jīng经
hěn很
jiù旧
le了
。
This wooden grain measure is very old.