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verb HSK 6
dǎo
to tread on · to trample · to follow · to dance

Meaning

蹈 is a literary and formal character meaning to step on, tread, or follow a path. It appears most commonly in fixed expressions and idioms rather than everyday speech. The character suggests deliberate stepping or following in footsteps, both literally and metaphorically.

Usage

This character is rarely used alone in modern spoken Chinese. It appears primarily in formal written Chinese, literary contexts, and set phrases like 重蹈覆辙 (to repeat past mistakes) and 手舞足蹈 (to dance with joy). When referring to actual dancing or walking, modern speakers typically use other words like 跳 or 走.

Examples

  1. 01
    我们不能重蹈覆辙，必须吸取教训。
    Wǒmen bù néng chóng dǎo fù zhé, bìxū xīqǔ jiàoxùn.
    We cannot repeat past mistakes; we must learn from experience.
  2. 02
    听到这个好消息，他高兴得手舞足蹈。
    Tīng dào zhège hǎo xiāoxi, tā gāoxìng de shǒu wǔ zú dǎo.
    Upon hearing this good news, he danced with joy.

Common collocations

  • 重蹈覆辙
    chóng dǎo fù zhé
    to repeat past mistakes
  • 手舞足蹈
    shǒu wǔ zú dǎo
    to dance with joy
  • 循规蹈矩
    xún guī dǎo jǔ
    to follow rules meticulously
  • 赴汤蹈火
    fù tāng dǎo huǒ
    to go through fire and water

Origin

The character combines the foot radical 足 (foot) with 舀 (to ladle, scoop), originally depicting the action of stepping or treading with the feet.

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