犊
dú
calf
At a glance · 犊

Listen

Audio is synthesized in your browser: Mandarin for the character and Shuowen text, native voices for every translation. No downloads.

Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

犊 Evolution of the glyph
  1. 犊 Object sketch
    Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
  2. 犊 Oracle bone
    Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
  3. 犊 Seal script
    Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
  4. 犊 Clerical script
    Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
  5. 犊 Regular script
    Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested:oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

小篆从牛,賣声,本义为小牛。形声清晰。

What the sketch shows

犊 Object sketch

Origins & notes

本义为小牛(牛犊)。

Structure

形声字,从牛(意符),賣(dú)为声符。

At a glance

Pinyindú
Radical牜
Strokes12
UnicodeU+728A
Character type形声
Theme动物

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English calf A young calf (baby cow).
Français veau Un veau (jeune bœuf).
Español ternero Un ternero (cría de vaca).
العربية عجل عجل أو صغير البقر.
Русский телёнок Телёнок (детёныш коровы).

Common words

  • 犊dúcalf
  • 牛犊niú dúcalf