陡 dǒu steep
steep; sloping; sudden; precipitous; suddenly
How to remember 陡: 阝 mound + 走 walk = steep. The little grassy mound behind the school looks easy, but when the kids start to walk up it they find it steep.
Component breakdown
陡 = 阝 mound + 走 walk
- 阝 mound
- 走 walk
The little grassy mound behind the school looks easy, but when the kids start to walk up it they find it steep.
How it is used
- Steep, of slopes and terrain: 陡坡 (dǒupō) a steep slope, 陡峭 (dǒuqiào) precipitous - 山路很陡 (shānlù hěn dǒu) the mountain path is steep.
- Extends to a sudden, sharp change: 陡增 (dǒuzēng) to shoot up abruptly, 陡然 (dǒurán) suddenly.
- 陡峭 is the vivid written word for cliffs and crags; plain 陡 is the everyday 'steep.'