Usage and Meanings
The character 堵 (dǔ) primarily means 'to block' or 'to be congested.' It is commonly used to describe traffic jams (堵车) or physically blocking something like a hole or passage.
Common Collocations
- 堵车 (dǔchē): traffic jam, very common in daily conversation about commuting.
- 堵住 (dǔ zhù): to block or stop something physically.
- 堵塞 (dǔsè): to clog or obstruct, often used in formal contexts.
Usage Notes
When used for traffic, 堵 implies a heavy congestion that slows or stops movement. When used physically, it suggests closing or sealing an opening. It is often paired with verbs like 住 (zhù) to emphasize the blocking action.
Avoid confusing 堵 with 堵墙 (wall), which is a less common meaning related to the character's original sense but rarely used alone in modern speech. The traffic and blocking meanings are far more frequent.
Register and Tone
This word is neutral in tone and appropriate in both spoken and written Chinese, especially when discussing traffic or physical obstruction.