Definition
悼 (dào) is a formal/literary verb meaning 'to mourn' or 'to lament'. In modern Chinese it is rarely used as a standalone verb; it almost always appears in compound words such as 悼念 (dào niàn, to mourn), 哀悼 (āi dào, to grieve), and 追悼 (zhuī dào, to commemorate the dead). You can use it on its own in very formal or classical contexts, but everyday speech prefers the longer compound forms.
v.
to mournto lament (formal, often used in compound words)
Examples
- 。Rénmen jù zài yìqǐ dào niàn sǐzhě.People gathered together to mourn the deceased.
- ，。Zài zhuī dào huì shàng, tā fābiǎo le gǎnrén de yǎnshuō.At the memorial service, he delivered a moving speech.
- 。Dàjiā dōu chénjìn zài āi dào zhī zhōng.Everyone was immersed in mourning.
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