tou4塗涂
Jyutpingtou4
Yaletòuh
Definition
To spread, apply, or smear liquid or paste on a surface, or to blot out with it.
- to spread, apply, or smear a liquid or paste onto a surface
- to blot out, cross out, or cover up with liquid
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the physical act of smearing or covering a surface with a substance like jam, paint, or correction fluid. It is distinct from 抹, which usually implies cleaning or wiping a surface clean. When used for crossing out text, it specifically refers to obscuring the characters so they are no longer legible.
Examples
Please help me spread the sauce on the bread.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 搽, which is more commonly used for applying substances to the body, such as lotion or medicine. While 塗 can technically be used for these, 搽 is the natural choice for skincare or medical applications.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
