涂 tú to smear
to smear; to scribble; to daub; to apply
How to remember 涂: 氵 water + 余 surplus = to smear. With a jar of water and a surplus of paint from art class, the toddler starts to smear all over the kitchen wall.
Component breakdown
涂 = 氵 water + 余 surplus
- 氵 water
- 余 surplus
With a jar of water and a surplus of paint from art class, the toddler starts to smear all over the kitchen wall.
How it is used
- To smear/apply/spread - 涂药 (tú yào) to apply ointment, 涂色 (tú sè) to color in, 涂改 (túgǎi) to alter (cross out and rewrite).
- 糊涂 (hútu) means muddle-headed/confused; 一塌糊涂 (yìtāhútú) means an utter mess. 涂鸦 (túyā) is graffiti/doodling.