What does 到 mean in Chinese?

到 (dào) means "to (a place); until (a time); up to; to go; to arrive; (verb complement denoting completion or result of an action)" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 1.

How do you pronounce 到?

到 is pronounced "dào" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 4.

What HSK level is 到?

到 is an HSK 1 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 2 on the old exam, HSK 1 on the new one.

What words contain the character 到?

Common words with 到 include 来到 (to come), 做到 (to accomplish), 不到 (not to arrive), 丢到家 (to lose (face) utterly), 做不到 (impossible).

How do you write 到?

到 has 8 strokes. Its radical is 刂. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

到 (dào), to (a place)

到

dào

to (a place); until (a time); up to; to go

HSK 1 Was HSK 2verb8 strokes

Character Breakdown

到 = 至 + 刂

A knife cuts to the destination — arrive

Radical: 刂 (no. 18)Strokes: 8

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to (a place)
until (a time)
up to
to go
to arrive
(verb complement denoting completion or result of an action)

Example Sentences

我到家了。

Wǒ dào jiā le

I arrived home

Words Containing 到

Word	Pinyin	Meaning
来到	lái dào	to come
做到	zuò dào	to accomplish
不到	bù dào	not to arrive
丢到家	diū dào jiā	to lose (face) utterly
做不到	zuò bù dào	impossible

Related Words

去(qù)· to go

→

出来(chū lái)· to come out

→

何许(hé xǔ)· (literary) what place

→

一直以来(yī zhí yǐ lái)· in the past always

→

Grammar Notes

Basic Resultative ComplementsHSK 2

Subject + Verb + Resultative Complement (+ Object)

Same As (跟...一样)HSK 2

A 跟/和 B 一样 (+ Adjective)

From...To (从...到)HSK 2

从 + Starting Point + 到 + Ending Point

As Soon As (一...就)HSK 3

Subject + 一 + Verb₁，(Subject) + 就 + Verb₂

Again: 又 vs 再HSK 3

又 + Verb (past repetition) / 再 + Verb (future repetition)

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 1
HSK 2.0: HSK 2
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

到: HSK 2 on the old exam, HSK 1 on the new one. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 1 exam

Studying for HSK 1? Keep 到 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 1 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.