投 Stroke Order — How to Write 投
投 is written in 7 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 扌, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
投 Radical and Character Components
投 is a phono-semantic compound: 扌 (hand) carries the meaning, while 殳 indicates the sound.
Radical: 扌 + 4 more strokes
投 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- tóu
Meanings of 投 in Chinese
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.
Common Words and Phrases with 投
1
To surrender oneself to the authorities, confessing one's crimes.
在证据确凿的情况下，他最终选择投案自首
Given the irrefutable evidence, he ultimately chose to surrender himself to the authorities.
2
To go to a friend or a place for shelter or help.
小明家乡发生灾害后，他决定投奔城里的舅舅，寻求帮助。
After a disaster struck Xiaoming's hometown, he decided to go and stay with his uncle in the city, seeking help.
3
To renounce the pen for the sword; to abandon civilian pursuits for a military career.
他原本是位潜心学术的教授，但面对突发的紧急状况，他毅然投笔从戎，协助维持当地秩序。
He was originally a professor dedicated to academics, but faced with an unexpected emergency, he resolutely abandoned his scholarly pursuits to join the military, assisting in maintaining local order.
4
To describe an army so numerous and powerful that if all its soldiers threw their whips into a river, the whips would be enough to block or stem the current.
这位年轻的创业者虽然起步不久，却满怀信心，认为自己的产品很快就能投鞭断流，迅速占领市场。
This young entrepreneur, though just starting out, is full of confidence, believing his product can soon 'throw whips to block the river' and quickly capture the market.
5
To submit a bid or tender, typically stating a proposed price, with the aim of winning a contract or project.
我们公司正在积极准备，计划投标下一个大型软件开发项目。
Our company is actively preparing to bid for the next large-scale software development project.
6
Go into operation or put into production.
这条新生产线预计下个月投产，届时产能将大幅提升。
This new production line is expected to start operation next month, and its production capacity will be significantly increased.
7
To defect; to cross over to the opposing side, often by military personnel.
在激烈的市场竞争中，一些原本属于A公司的团队成员选择投诚到B公司，以寻求更好的发展机会。
In the fierce market competition, some team members who originally belonged to Company A chose to defect to Company B, seeking better development opportunities.
8
To drop bombs (from an aircraft) or throw hand grenades.
在模拟训练中，飞行员们反复练习投弹的技巧。
In simulation training, pilots repeatedly practice the skill of bomb-dropping.
9
To defect to the enemy or go over to the enemy's side.
战场上，士兵如果轻易投敌，将会受到严厉的惩罚。
On the battlefield, if a soldier easily defects to the enemy, they will face severe punishment.
10
To deliver or send (e.g., mail, documents).
邮递员每天都会准时投递信件和报纸。
The postman delivers letters and newspapers on time every day.
11
A mailman, postman, or letter carrier.
每天早上，投递员都会准时将报纸和信件送到每家每户
Every morning, the delivery person delivers newspapers and letters to every household on time.
12
to put up at an inn; to find accommodation at a hotel
经过长途跋涉，他们终于在日落时分找到一家客栈投店休息。
After a long journey, they finally found an inn to check into and rest as the sun set.
13
To put, release, or deploy something (e.g., goods, funds, advertisements) into a specific area, market, or system.
这家公司计划在社交媒体上投放新的广告系列，以吸引年轻客户。
This company plans to launch a new advertising campaign on social media to attract younger customers.
14
To be congenial or well-matched in disposition or feelings; to be compatible.
他们二人性情相近，初次见面便十分投分
Their personalities are similar, and they felt very congenial right from their first meeting.
15
To submit an article or piece of writing for publication, often to a publisher, newspaper, or broadcasting station.
我把我的短篇小说投稿给了一家文学杂志。
I submitted my short story to a literary magazine.
16
To be congenial or agreeable; to get along well with others; to cater to someone's tastes.
他们两人性格投合，很快就成了好朋友。
Their personalities were congenial, and they quickly became good friends.
More words with 投
- tóu投rù入invest, devote
- tóu投xià下drop, cast
- tóu投zī资Investment, To invest
- tóu投shēn身devote oneself to, engage in
- tóu投sù诉complain, complaint
- tóu投zhì掷throw, toss
- tóu投jī机speculation, speculate
- tóu投xiáng降surrender, capitulate
- tóu投jìn进sink, make
- tóu投lán篮Shoot, Shot
- tóu投shè射project, cast
- tóu投yuán缘Hit it off, Click
- tóu投zī资zhě者investor
- tóu投hú壶pitch-pot, pot-throwing
- tóu投shī师to become a disciple, to apprentice oneself
- xiāng相tóu投compatible, congenial
- tóu投bǎo保rén人policyholder, applicant
- tóu投shēn身yú于devote oneself to, engage in
- tóu投zī资rén人investor, financier
- tóu投zī资yú于invest in, put money into
Idioms with 投
- tóu投huái怀sòng送bào抱throw oneself into someone's arms
- tóu投jī机dǎo倒bǎ把speculate and profiteer
- tóu投jī机qǔ取qiǎo巧seize opportunity for personal gain by improper means
- tóu投jǐng井xià下shí石kick someone when they are down
- tóu投qí其suǒ所hào好cater to someone's preferences
- tóu投shí石wèn问lù路probe for information cautiously
- tóu投shǔ鼠jì忌qì器hesitate to act for fear of consequences
- tóu投táo桃bào报lǐ李return a favor for a favor
- tóu投xián闲zhì置sàn散sidelined or shelved
- tóu投zhù杼zhī之yí疑baseless rumors create doubt
- bèi背àn暗tóu投míng明abandon darkness, embrace light
- bǐ匕shǒu首tóu投qiāng枪sharp, critical articles
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Open the tool →Questions about 投
What does 投 mean in Chinese?
投 (tóu) means “To throw” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 投?
投 is pronounced tóu in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 投 have?
投 has 7 strokes.
How do you write 投?
投 is written in 7 strokes, starting from the radical 扌. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 投?
The radical of 投 is 扌, and 投 is a phono-semantic compound.