涂

• Pinyin: tú
• Hanzi breakdown: 涂 = 氵 (water) + 余 (surplus, phonetic)

Meaning

To apply; to spread; to smear; to coat. The action of covering a surface with paint, cream, or other substances.

Used for applying paint, makeup, medicine, butter, and other substances to surfaces. Also used metaphorically for careless writing or drawing (涂鸦). Common in daily life, art, and cosmetics contexts.

Examples

1. 她每天早上都会涂一层薄薄的防晒霜再出门。 She applies a thin layer of sunscreen every morning before going out.
2. 小孩子把颜料涂得到处都是，连墙上都有。 The child smeared paint everywhere, even on the walls.
3. 医生叮嘱他每天涂三次药膏，坚持两周才能见效。 The doctor instructed him to apply the ointment three times daily for two weeks to see results.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, art, cosmetics, medicine

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 记得涂防晒霜再出门。(Remember to apply sunscreen before going out.)
• 这面墙需要涂两遍漆。(This wall needs two coats of paint.)

Don't Say

• 说'涂衣服'来表示穿衣服 (Don't use 涂 for putting on clothes — use 穿 instead; 涂 is only for spreading substances)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic character: 氵 (water radical, suggesting wet substance) + 涂 phonetic. Originally referred to mud or muddy water, later extended to smearing actions.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal