Meanings of 頓
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About 頓
Podcast: 頓
Podcast: 頓
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AI Study Notes for 頓
停 (tíng) - use 頓 (dùn) when emphasizing a brief pause leading to a change, while 停 (tíng) simply indicates stopping without the nuance of subsequent action.
Common mistakes include confusing 頓 with similar-sounding words that imply continued action rather than a pause. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, and is often found in phrases like 頓時 (dùnshí, meaning 'at that moment'). Pay attention to the correct tone, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning entirely.
Although 頓 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, its components are useful for understanding advanced characters. Learners should focus on how this word relates to words about pauses or arrangements, like 停 (tíng, to stop) or 排 (pái, to arrange).
Learners often mistakenly use 頓 in contexts where continuous action is needed, such as saying '我頓去商店' (Wǒ dùn qù shāngdiàn) instead of '我去商店' (Wǒ qù shāngdiàn, meaning 'I go to the store'). Remember, 頓 implies a pause.
Pronunciation of 頓
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Etymology of 頓
Phonosemantic compound. 页 represents the meaning and 屯 represents the sound. Simplified form of 頓.
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Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 頓
Phonosemantic compound. 页 represents the meaning and 屯 represents the sound. Simplified form of 頓.
- 1The meaning half頁 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half屯 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayhead
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
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Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 頓
Identify the Components
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How to say to pause; to bow; to arrange in Chinese
“to pause; to bow; to arrange” in Chinese is頓
The character 頓 (dùn) generally means to pause or to stop briefly. It can also refer to arranging or adjusting something, often used in contexts where a significant change or adjustment is made. It carries a nuance of a momentary halt that leads to a shift in action or thought.
When to use 頓
Common mistakes include confusing 頓 with similar-sounding words that imply continued action rather than a pause. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, and is often found in phrases like 頓時 (dùnshí, meaning 'at that moment'). Pay attention to the correct tone, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning entirely.
頓 or something close to it
停 (tíng) - use 頓 (dùn) when emphasizing a brief pause leading to a change, while 停 (tíng) simply indicates stopping without the nuance of subsequent action.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 頓 in contexts where continuous action is needed, such as saying '我頓去商店' (Wǒ dùn qù shāngdiàn) instead of '我去商店' (Wǒ qù shāngdiàn, meaning 'I go to the store'). Remember, 頓 implies a pause.
Write 頓
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Word Family of 頓
Compound Meaning
What does 顿 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 頓
You can use 頓 in a sentence like '我頓了一下，然後繼續說話' (Wǒ dùnle yīxià, ránhòu jìxù shuōhuà), meaning 'I paused for a moment, then continued speaking.'
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