督 dū to supervise
to supervise; to oversee; to direct
How to remember 督: 叔 uncle + 目 eye = to supervise. My uncle keeps an eye on the workers all day, because at the building site his job is to supervise.
Component breakdown
督 = 叔 uncle + 目 eye
- 叔 uncle
- 尗 bean plant
- 又 again
- 目 eye
My uncle keeps an eye on the workers all day, because at the building site his job is to supervise.
How it is used
- To supervise/oversee - 监督 (jiāndū) to supervise/monitor, 督促 (dūcù) to urge and press someone to get something done.
- 督促 combines overseeing with prodding: 督促孩子学习 (dūcù háizi xuéxí) to push a child to study.
- Historical titles: 总督 (zǒngdū) a governor-general, 都督 a military commander.
- Bound morpheme conveying oversight with authority.