兜售

• Pinyin: dōu shòu
• Hanzi breakdown: 兜 = wrap/circuit; 售 = 隹 (bird) + 口 (mouth) — originally to cry out wares

Meaning

To hawk; to peddle; to aggressively promote or sell goods, ideas, or services, often with a negative connotation.

Implies persistent or opportunistic selling behavior. Used for street vendors, but also figuratively for pushing dubious ideologies, propaganda, or questionable products. Carries a slightly critical or negative tone compared to neutral 销售.

Examples

1. 街头小贩在景区附近兜售各种纪念品。 Street vendors hawk all kinds of souvenirs near the tourist area.
2. 这些自称专家的人，不过是在兜售过时的观念。 These self-proclaimed experts are really just peddling outdated ideas.
3. 他四处兜售自己的投资方案，却始终无人问津。 He went around trying to sell his investment plan, but no one showed any interest.

Usage Guide

Context: commerce, media, criticism

Tone: slightly negative

Do Say

• 他们在社区广场兜售各种所谓的保健产品。(They were hawking all kinds of so-called health products in the community square.)
• 某些媒体借机兜售恐慌情绪，引发了不必要的社会焦虑。(Some media outlets took the opportunity to peddle fear, causing unnecessary social anxiety.)

Don't Say

• 正式场合说兜售服务 — for legitimate professional service promotion say 推广服务 or 销售服务; 兜售 implies aggressive or questionable peddling

Origin & History

兜 (to carry around/circuit) + 售 (sell)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal