Common Meanings
1
dú独
Single; only one; alone.
她独具慧眼，总是能发现别人看不到的美。
She has unique insight, always able to discover beauty that others cannot see.
Refers to elderly people who are childless; the 'du' in 'guān guǎ gū dú' (widowers, widows, orphans, and the childless elderly).
政府致力于改善鳏寡孤独者的生活条件。
The government is committed to improving the living conditions of widowers, widows, orphans, and the childless elderly.
Used in rhetorical questions to mean 'how can it be that?' or 'don't you?', expressing surprise or disagreement.
你独不见这花开得多么美吗？
Don't you see how beautifully these flowers are blooming?
Dúgū (独孤) is a compound Chinese surname.
独孤信是西魏和北周时期的重要人物。
Dugu Xin was an important figure during the Western Wei and Northern Zhou dynasties.
A modal particle, similar to '其', used in rhetorical questions to emphasize 'who else' or 'only', implying exclusivity.
如果他不去做，独谁能承担这个责任呢
If he doesn't do it, who else can bear this responsibility?