斗 Stroke Order — How to Write 斗

Stroke Order

斗 is written in 4 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 斗, 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.

斗 Radical and Character Components

Partial breakdown of 斗:十

斗 is an ideographic compound. A hand holding a measuring dipper.

Radical: 斗 + 0 more strokes

斗 Pronunciation and Pinyin

dòu
dǒu

Meanings of 斗 in Chinese

dòu斗

fight, struggle, contend

他们正在激烈地斗争。

They are struggling fiercely.

provoke, tease, compete

别再斗嘴了，快和好吧。

Stop bickering, make up quickly.

join, fit together (woodworking)

木匠把两块木头斗在一起。

The carpenter joined the two pieces of wood.

dǒu斗

dipper, scoop, bucket

他用木斗舀水。

He used a wooden dipper to scoop water.

traditional unit of capacity (approx. 10 liters)

古代一斗米大约有十升。

In ancient times, one dou of rice was about ten liters.

sudden, abrupt; dipper-shaped

斗转星移，时间过得真快。

Time flies as the stars shift.

Common Words and Phrases with 斗

dǒu斗bǐng柄

The handle part of the Big Dipper constellation.

夜空中，北斗七星的斗柄指向东方，预示着季节的更替

In the night sky, the handle of the Big Dipper points eastward, indicating the change of seasons.

dǒu斗chē车

A trolley or small railcar commonly used on construction sites or in mines for transporting materials.

工人们用斗车将沙石运到搅拌机旁

The workers used skip cars to transport sand and gravel to the mixer.

dǒu斗dǎn胆

To dare; to make bold; to venture (often used politely to introduce a bold or potentially presumptuous statement/action).

斗胆问一句，您对这个项目的未来发展有什么看法？

May I be so bold as to ask, what are your thoughts on the future development of this project?

dòu斗fǎ法

To contest or match magical powers; metaphorically, to engage in a strategic struggle or rivalry, often involving various schemes and covert maneuvers.

为了争夺年度最佳产品奖，几家公司在技术创新和市场推广上明争暗斗，上演了一场激烈的“斗法”。

To compete for the annual Best Product Award, several companies engaged in both overt and covert struggles, deploying various strategies in technological innovation and market promotion, essentially putting on an intense "clash of strategies."

dǒu斗fāng方

A square sheet of paper or a small square artwork (painting or calligraphy).

这幅山水斗方是他最近的杰作，笔墨之间透露着深厚的功力。

This landscape doufang painting is his latest masterpiece, revealing profound skill in its brushwork and ink.

dǒu斗fāng方míng名shì士

A silly or trifling scholar of no real importance; a pretentious, unlearned literary figure.

他虽然自诩为收藏家，但在行家眼中不过是个附庸风雅的斗方名士罢了。

Although he fancies himself a collector, in the eyes of true connoisseurs, he is merely a pretentious dilettante.

dòu斗fèn份zi子

To pool funds or raise money, often by collecting contributions from several people.

我们大家斗份子给他买了一份生日礼物。

We all chipped in to buy him a birthday gift.

dǒu斗gǒng拱

Dou Gong (斗拱) is an interlocking wooden bracket system, a distinctive structural element in traditional Chinese architecture, typically placed between the top of a column and a crossbeam to support the roof.

这座古老的寺庙屋檐下，精致的斗拱层层叠叠，支撑着沉重的屋顶。

Beneath the eaves of this ancient temple, exquisite dougong brackets are layered, supporting the heavy roof.

dòu斗hěn狠

To struggle or contend using fierce and malicious means.

在争夺客户的商业竞争中，各家公司都使出了浑身解数，相互斗狠。

In the business competition for customers, all companies went all out, fiercely contending with each other.

dòu斗jī鸡

Cockfighting refers to a sport or game in which two roosters fight, often for gambling. It can also refer to a gamecock, which is a rooster specifically bred or trained for such fights.