赌

• Pinyin: dǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 赌 = 贝 (shell, money) + 者 (phonetic) — betting money

Meaning

To gamble; to bet. Wagering money or valuables on an uncertain outcome, either in games of chance or metaphorically.

Gambling is illegal in mainland China but remains common in Macau. 赌博 is the more formal term for gambling. Metaphorically, 赌一把 means to take a gamble or risk. Related: 赌场 (casino), 赌注 (stake/bet), 赌气 (to act in a fit of pique).

Examples

1. 他把所有积蓄都赌光了，连房子都卖了还债。 He gambled away all his savings and even sold his house to pay off debts.
2. 虽然风险很大，但他决定赌一把，辞职创业。 Although the risk was high, he decided to take a gamble and quit his job to start a business.
3. 小赌怡情，大赌伤身，最好还是别沾这个。 A little gambling for fun is okay, but too much is harmful — it's best not to get into it.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, risk, gambling

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 我跟你赌五块钱，他肯定迟到。(I'll bet you five yuan he'll be late for sure.)
• 创业就是在赌未来，要做好心理准备。(Starting a business is betting on the future; you need to be mentally prepared.)

Don't Say

• 在正式场合用赌形容商业决策 (In formal contexts, avoid using 赌 to describe business decisions — use 冒险 or 投资 instead for a more professional tone)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic character: 贝 (shell/money) radical + 者 (phonetic). The shell radical relates to wealth and transactions.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal