How to Write 躲 (duǒ) — Meaning “to hide; to avoid”

Imagine your body (身) hiding behind a large flower (朵) to avoid being seen. This visual combines the components into a memorable scene of hiding.

Write the left radical 身 first, making it narrow and balanced. Then add 朵 on the right, ensuring the hook in the second stroke of 朵 is correctly curved. Avoid making 身 too wide, as it should leave space for 朵.

躲 means to hide or avoid, while 躯 refers to the physical body (like 身躯) and 躺 means to lie down. Visually, 躲 uses 朵, 躯 uses 区, and 躺 uses 尚 as phonetic components. In usage, 躲 is about active concealment, not body parts or posture.

You commonly see 躲 in words like 躲雨 (take shelter from rain) and 躲开 (step out of the way). A cultural note is the saying 躲得过初一躲不过十五, meaning you can avoid something temporarily but not forever.

Common words containing 躲 include: 躲雨 (duǒ yǔ) — to take shelter from the rain; 躲开 (duǒ kāi) — to get out of the way; to avoid; 躲藏 (duǒ cáng) — to hide oneself.