Character

透

tòu HSK 6

透 tòu HSK 6

1. (of liquid, light, etc.) to seep through; to penetrate
2. to secretly inform; to leak (information)
3. very clear-headed; thoroughly understanding
4. to a full or thorough degree; saturated
5. to show; to reveal
6. to an extreme degree (mostly derogatory, used with 了)

Words using 透 as tòu (7)

1 透明 tòu míng — transparent HSK 6
- 透 to pass through, penetrate (light passing through)
- 明 bright, clear, visible
Example

湖水透明得可以看见底部的石头。

hú shuǐ tòu míng de kě yǐ kàn jiàn dǐ bù de shí tou

The lake water is so transparent you can see the stones at the bottom.
2 透过 tòu guò — through HSK 6
- 透 penetrate, pass through
- 过 pass, cross over
Example

阳光透过树叶照进房间。

yáng guāng tòu guò shù yè zhào jìn fáng jiān

Sunlight shines into the room through the leaves.
3 透露 tòu lù — reveal HSK 6
- 透 penetrate through, pass through
- 露 expose, show, reveal
Example

她向记者透露了一些细节。

tā xiàng jì zhě tòu lù le yī xiē xì jié

She disclosed some details to the reporter.
4 渗透 shèn tòu — to permeate, to infiltrate, to seep through HSK 7
- 渗 to seep, to ooze (indicates gradual liquid penetration)
- 透 through, thoroughly (indicates complete penetration)
Example

这种思想已经渗透到社会各个阶层。

zhè zhǒng sī xiǎng yǐ jīng shèn tòu dào shè huì gè gè jiē céng

This ideology has already permeated all levels of society.
5 透彻 tòu chè — thorough, penetrating HSK 7
- 透 penetrating through, seeing through completely
- 彻 complete, thorough, from beginning to end
Example

老师把这个概念解释得很透彻。

lǎo shī bǎ zhè ge gài niàn jiě shì de hěn tòu chè

The teacher explained this concept very thoroughly.

Show more (+2)

6 透支 tòu zhī — to overdraw; to overuse HSK 7
- 透 thoroughly; to go beyond (limits)
- 支 to pay out; to expend
Example

长期加班会透支身体健康。

cháng qī jiā bān huì tòu zhī shēn tǐ jiàn kāng

Working overtime for a long period will exhaust your physical health.
7 透气 tòu qì — to ventilate, breathable HSK 7
- 透 to penetrate through, to pass through
- 气 air, breath
Example

这双鞋很透气，夏天穿很舒服。

zhè shuāng xié hěn tòu qì xià tiān chuān hěn shū fu

These shoes are very breathable, very comfortable to wear in summer.

Structure & writing

透 tòu — (of liquid, light, etc.) to seep through; to penetrate

透 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

1 辶 chuò — walk/movement radical, indicating motion or walking

辶 is a component in 68 characters

HSK 1

边 biān border between countries or regions 还 huán to return to the original place or state 这 zhè this (person or thing nearby, as opposed to 那) 道 dào road; path; passage

HSK 2

过 guò to move from one place or party to another 运 yùn to rotate; to move in sequence 近 jìn near, close (in space or time; opposite of 远) 进 jìn to move forward (opposite of 退) 远 yuǎn far; distant (in space or time, opposite of 近)

Show more HSK 2 characters (+1)

送 sòng to deliver or bring something to someone

HSK 3

迎 yíng to welcome; to greet 迟 chí slow, sluggish 适 shì (lit.) to go; to travel to 选 xuǎn to choose; to select; to pick 遇 yù to meet, encounter, come across

Show more HSK 3 characters (+1)

遍 biàn universal, widespread

HSK 4

达 dá to go through; to reach 连 lián to connect, to link 迷 mí unable to distinguish; lost the ability to discern or judge 递 dì to deliver; to pass on 通 tōng unobstructed; able to pass through

Show more HSK 4 characters (+4)

逛 guàng to stroll; to wander; to roam around 速 sù fast; swift; rapid 邀 yāo to invite 随 suí to follow

HSK 5

迅 xùn extremely fast; swift 返 fǎn to return, to go back 违 wéi to disobey; to violate 述 shù to narrate; to state; to recount 迹 jì trace; mark left behind

Show more HSK 5 characters (+9)

追 zhuī to chase; to catch up with 退 tuì to move backward (opposite of 进) 逐 zhú to chase, to pursue 途 tú road; path 造 zào to make; to manufacture 逻 luó to patrol; to make rounds 遗 yí to omit or lose due to carelessness 遵 zūn (lit.) to follow; along 避 bì to avoid; to evade

HSK 6

迈 mài to stride; to step over 迫 pò to compel; to force 逃 táo to flee; to escape from an unfavorable situation 透 tòu (of liquid, light, etc.) to seep through; to penetrate 逗 dòu to tease; to provoke

Show more HSK 6 characters (+3)

逼 bī to coerce; to threaten 遥 yáo far; distant 遭 zāo to encounter (misfortune or adversity)

HSK 7

巡 xún to patrol; to make rounds of inspection 辽 liáo distant; far 迁 qiān to move, relocate (an office, residence, etc.) 迄 qì to reach; up to 迪 dí (lit.) to enlighten; to guide

Show more HSK 7 characters (+16)

迭 dié to alternate; to take turns 迸 bèng to spurt out; to splash outward 逆 nì to go in the opposite direction (opposite of 顺) 逊 xùn to abdicate (the throne) 逝 shì to pass; to vanish (esp. of time or flowing water) 逞 chěng show off (one's talent, power, etc.); boast 逢 féng to encounter; to meet 逮 dài (lit.) to reach; to arrive at 逸 yì comfortable and at ease; leisurely 逾 yú to exceed; to surpass 遏 è to stop; to suppress; to restrain 遛 liù to stroll, walk slowly and leisurely 遣 qiǎn to dispatch; to send 遮 zhē to block from view; to obscure 邃 suì deep and distant (of time or space) 隧 suì tunnel; underground or mountain passage

2 秀 xiù — (of plants) to put forth flowers or ears, especially crops

秀 is a component in 4 characters

HSK 6

透 tòu (of liquid, light, etc.) to seep through; to penetrate

HSK 7

绣 xiù to embroider (patterns or characters onto fabric using colored thread) 诱 yòu to guide; to counsel 锈 xiù rust (oxidized layer on metal surfaces)

Stroke order