Common Meanings
1
tóu投
To throw, cast, or hurl (often with a specific target in mind).
他轻轻一投，篮球就进了篮筐。
With a gentle throw, the basketball went straight into the hoop.
To jump into; to throw oneself into (a place or a situation).
他自投罗网，被警察抓住了。
He walked right into the trap and was caught by the police.
To put in, to send in; to invest, to cast (e.g., a bid).
我们决定投资这家新公司。
We decided to invest in this new company.
To go towards, to enter, or to submit, often implying seeking or lodging, as in to lodge (投宿), to seek refuge (投奔), to seek allegiance (投靠), to surrender (投降), to become a disciple (投师), or to file a complaint (投诉).
如果对服务不满意，你可以向经理投诉。
If you are not satisfied with the service, you can complain to the manager.
To project or cast (light, shadow, image) onto a surface; to direct towards.
灯光把他的身影投射到墙壁上。
The light projected his shadow onto the wall.
To send, deliver, or submit (e.g., a letter, an article to a publisher).
我决定把这篇小说投给杂志社。
I decided to submit this novel to the magazine publisher.
to fit; to agree; to be congenial
我们俩性格相近，意气相投，很快就成了好朋友。
The two of us have similar personalities and are congenial, quickly becoming good friends.
approaching (a certain time); just before (e.g., dawn, dusk)
我们投暮才到家。
We only arrived home before dark.