(duò)

HSK 7-911 strokes

helm

Stroke order animation

Character information

Pinyin
duò
Meaning
helm; rudder
Strokes
11
HSK level
HSK 7-9
Traditional
Same

Origin & structure

Where comes from and how its parts fit together.

Phonetic-semantic compound⿰舟它

In this compound, the meaning comes from (boat); supplies the sound.

One part carries the meaning, the other suggests the sound.

Made of

Parts are arranged left to right.

How to write step by step

11 strokes — each frame adds one stroke, shown in dark ink over the lighter ones.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10
  11. 11

Words with

Common words using — tap any character to open its stroke-order page.

duòshǒu
HSK 7-9

helmsman

Open 舵手 page →
yòuduò

right rudder

Open 右舵 page →
zuǒduò

left rudder

Open 左舵 page →
duò

to hold the rudder; to hold (to take, to be at) the helm; to steer

Open 把舵 page →
zhǎngduò

to steer (a ship)

Open 掌舵 page →

lit. see the wind and set the helm (idiom); fig. to act pragmatically

Open 见风使舵 page →

lit. see the wind and set the helm (idiom); fig. to act pragmatically

Open 见风转舵 page →

to trim one's sails with the wind

Open 随风倒舵 page →

Related characters

Ready to master 舵?

Trace 舵 stroke by stroke in the online practice tool, or turn it into a printable worksheet PDF with Tianzige practice grids, pinyin, and stroke-order breakdowns.