到
dào/tɑʊ̯⁵¹/
The English phrase "to" can be translated into Chinese as 到 (dào), used to mean moving in the direction of or arriving at a place.
到 is used to express movement toward a destination or arriving at a specific location. It can also be used in the context of time or duration to mean "until" or "up to" a certain point. If you intend to say "to" in the sense of "in order to," you should use the conjunction 为了 instead.
Meaning: in the direction of, and arriving at (prep)
Which one should you use?
While English uses "to" frequently as a preposition of direction, the Chinese 到 frequently functions as a verb meaning "to arrive" or "to reach."
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When placed immediately after a verb, 到 functions as a resultative complement. In this position, it indicates that the action was successfully completed or achieved.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /tɑʊ̯⁵¹/ (dào).
Did you know?
- The character 到 is a phono-semantic compound combining the meaning 'to arrive' from 至 and the sound of 刀, which means 'knife'.
- While 到 indicates arrival, the phrase 到了 is often used as a standalone exclamation to signal a driver that you have reached your destination.
- In certain contexts, 到 describes not just a destination but the reaching of a specific state, such as 'reaching' a certain age or a specific temperature.
Examples in context
- 好想見到你。I really want to see you.This example shows the use of 到 in a sentence.Tatoeba #5544966 by sodajuice, translation #1887630 by CK
- 我得找到他。I have to find him.Tatoeba #5632421 by verdastelo9604, translation #3918241 by CH
- 你能做到嗎？Would you be able to do it?Tatoeba #6853184 by verdastelo9604, translation #9162215 by CK
- 我喜欢使用这个手机I like to use this phone.
- 我要去医院跟医生说I want to go to the hospital to talk to the doctor.
- 去散步Go for a walk
- 我去学校看朋友I'm going to school to see a friend.
- 走到Walk to
- 1163 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yuting and Wei are talking about their travel plans.
- 雨婷 Yuting你明天要去哪里？Nǐ míngtiān yào qù nǎlǐ?Where are you going tomorrow?
- 伟 Wei我要从这里到上海。Wǒ yào cóng zhèlǐ dào Shànghǎi.I am going from here to Shanghai.
- 雨婷 Yuting坐高铁到上海很快。Zuò gāotiě dào Shànghǎi hěn kuài.Taking the high-speed rail to Shanghai is very fast.
- 伟 Wei是的，大概只要四个小时。Shì de, dàgài zhǐ yào sì gè xiǎoshí.Yes, it only takes about four hours.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “to” translations and entries 到, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 到, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
