凸[tū] vs. 突[tū]: What are the Differences?

Both 凸[tū] and 突[tū] have the same pronunciation.

But, what is the difference between 凸[tū] and 突[tū]?

Especially, when to use this compound word 凸出[tū chū], and when to use 突出[tū chū]?

Again, when is the proper time to express either 凸显[tū xiǎn] or 突显[tū xiǎn]?

First, 凸[tū] is a word coming from an abstract symbol to indicate the meaning that the things in the middle are higher than the surroundings.

As an adjective, it means “convex” and “protruding.”

As a verb, it means “to protrude” or “to bulge.”

The word 凹[āo] is its antonym and means “concave.”

However, this word 突[tū] coming from two words, “cave”穴[xuè], and “dog”犬[quǎn]. These two composed pictogram words 穴[xuè] and 犬[quǎn] create a vivid image, a dog running out of a cave suddenly.

So, 突[tū] means something running out suddenly and unpredictably.

In the two tables that followed, I have gathered a couple of definitions and example sentences concerning 凸[tū] and 突[tū].

After taking a closer look at the various expressions of these two words, probably you will come to the right conclusion. I am going to provide answers just behind the two tables, too.

Table 1

凸[tū]

1. convex (adj.)

Compounds: 凸版印刷[tū bǎn yìn shuā]    /relief printing 凸岸[tū àn]    /convex bank 凸起[tū qǐ]    /to bulge; to raise

2. to bulge (v.)

Compounds: 凸出[tū chū]    /to bulge (v.) 下过雨後，林子里凸出了许多春笋。 [xià guò yǔ hòu, lín zi lǐ tū chū le xǔ duō chūn sǔn] After the rain, many spring bamboo-shoots bulge in the forest.

3. to highlight (v.)

Compounds: 凸显[tū xiǎn]    /to highlight 她用红笔来凸显文章的重点。 [tā yòng hóng bǐ lái tū xiǎn wén zhāng de zhòng diǎn] She used a red pen to highlight the point of the article.

Table 2

突[tū]

1. to assault; to attack

Compounds: 突击[tū jī]    /to assault; to attack 她在路上被野狗突击了。 [tā zài lù shàng bèi yě gǒu tū jī le] She was assaulted by a wild dog on the road.

2. to break through (v.); breakthrough (n.)

Compounds: 突破[tū pò]    /to break through (v.) 他突破了各种障碍。 [tā tū pò le gè zhǒng zhàng ài] He broke through various obstacles.

3. suddenly; abruptly; unexpectedly (adv.)

Compounds: 突然[tū rán]    /suddenly; abruptly; unexpectedly (adv.) 他突然晕倒在舞台上 [tā tū rán yūn dǎo zài wǔ tái shàng] He suddenly fainted on the stage.

4. prominent; outstanding; remarkable (adj.)

Compounds: 突出[tū chū]    /prominent; outstanding; remarkable 他在音乐上的表现非常突出。 [tā zài yīn yuè shàng de biǎo xiàn fēi cháng tū chū] His performance in music is very outstanding.

5. to highlight (v.)

Compounds: 突显[tū xiǎn]    /to highlight 他常写错字，突显他个性不够细心。 [tā cháng xiě cuò zì, tū xiǎn tā gè xìng bú gòu xì xīn] He often writes wrong words, highlighting his lack of carefulness.

The answer is that the meanings of 凸[tū] are similar to 突[tū] except for one point.

凸[tū] is used for something practical and concrete that usually can be seen with color, size, or shape.

However, 突[tū] is used for something shapeless or abstract that can be the performance or the personality of a person or a group, or the concept, the state of an event, etc.