Meanings of 寸
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About 寸
Podcast: 寸
Podcast: 寸
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AI Study Notes for 寸
分 (fēn) - use 寸 for measurements of length or small size, while 分 is used for smaller units of measurement or to denote fractions.
Imagine a tiny thumb (the meaning of '寸') holding a ruler marked with inches. The character '寸' looks like a small stroke above a horizontal line, reminiscent of a thumb resting on a ruler, emphasizing both the smallness and measurement aspect.
Learners often confuse 寸 with other measurements such as 米 (mǐ, meter) or 厘米 (límǐ, centimeter), which can lead to errors in context. It is more commonly used in informal settings, but still appears in formal contexts related to measurements. Be mindful of tone; '寸' is third tone, which can be mispronounced.
While 寸 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it connects to HSK 1 vocabulary related to measurements and sizes. Students should focus on recognizing '寸' in phrases and understanding its usage in relation to other measurement words.
In Chinese culture, measurements like 寸 are historically significant, often used in traditional crafts and trades, such as tailoring and carpentry, where precision is important.
A common mistake is using 寸 interchangeably with other units without understanding the size differences, such as thinking it equates to centimeters. For example, saying '我身高两寸' (wǒ shēngāo liǎng cùn) instead of '我身高两米' (wǒ shēngāo liǎng mǐ) for height in meters.
Pronunciation of 寸
Drill the tone of 寸 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 寸
Pictograph of a hand with a line marking a spot on the wrist. In traditional Chinese medicine this spot on the wrist where the pulse can be taken is called the 寸口.
A hand with a dot indicating where the pulse can be felt, about an inch up the wrist
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 寸?
Write 寸
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Practice writing 寸 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 寸
寸 functions as a number. It almost always combines with a measure word before a noun (三个人, 五本书). Standalone numbers are rare outside of math or counting. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
12英____左右的宽度绝对是你应考虑的最低值。
About 12 inches wide is the absolute minimum you should consider.
Example Sentences for 寸 (10)
Cultural Notes for 寸
In Chinese culture, measurements like 寸 are historically significant, often used in traditional crafts and trades, such as tailoring and carpentry, where precision is important.
Word Family of 寸
Compound Meaning
What does 得 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 寸
寸 means 'inch' or 'thumb' in Chinese and can denote something small.