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March 24, 2026
顿时(頓時)dùnshí(dun4shi2)
顿时 (dùn shí) means 'immediately' or 'suddenly.' It is often used to describe a quick change in situation or emotion. This term conveys a sense of immediacy and can be used in both spoken and written contexts to indicate an abrupt occurrence.
Frequency#24189DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of sudden change is significant in Chinese storytelling, often reflecting the idea of fate or unexpected twists. This mirrors themes in traditional Chinese literature where characters face abrupt shifts in fortune.
Memory Tip
Think of the character 顿 (dùn) as a 'thud' falling suddenly, and 时 (shí) as 'time'. Together, they symbolize something happening 'in an instant' — a thud that resonates through time, marking a sudden event.
Meanings of 顿时
dùnshí(dun4shi2)
1immediately
2suddenly
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 顿时
顿时Simplified
頓時Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#24189Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 顿时
Podcast: 顿时
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AI Study Notes for 顿时
Quick Contrast
瞬间 (shùnjiān) - use 顿时 when emphasizing an immediate change in situation or emotion, while 瞬间 focuses more on the brief duration of time.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of the character 顿 (dùn) as a 'thud' falling suddenly, and 时 (shí) as 'time'. Together, they symbolize something happening 'in an instant' — a thud that resonates through time, marking a sudden event.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 顿时 with other adverbs like '马上' (mǎ shàng) which means 'right away' but can imply more planning. 顿时 is more abrupt. It's generally informal and can be used in both spoken and written Chinese.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, it connects with other adverbs of time and manner. Focus on using it in sentences that describe actions or feelings that change quickly, such as '他顿时高兴了' (He suddenly became happy).
Cultural Note
The concept of sudden change is significant in Chinese storytelling, often reflecting the idea of fate or unexpected twists. This mirrors themes in traditional Chinese literature where characters face abrupt shifts in fortune.
Common Mistakes
Learners might mistakenly use 顿时 in place of '立即' (lì jí), which means 'immediately' but does not carry the same sudden connotation. For example, saying '他立即笑了' (He immediately laughed) instead of '他顿时笑了' misses the nuance of suddenness.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 顿时
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Grammar Patterns of 顿时
顿时 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 2 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
听到这番话，欣兰感到他内心的疑虑____消散了。
When he heard these words, Shinran felt his inner doubts melt away.
Example Sentences for 顿时 (10)
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1
听到这番话，欣兰感到他内心的疑虑顿时消散了。
tīng dào zhè fān huà， ， xīn lán gǎn dào tā nèi xīn de yí lǜ dùn shí xiāo sàn。
When he heard these words, Shinran felt his inner doubts melt away.
2
他一看到夏普浸满鲜血的制服，脸色顿时变得煞白。
tā yī kàn dào xià pǔ jìn mǎn xiān xiě de zhì fú， ， liǎn sè dùn shí biàn dé shā。
His face blanched as he looked at Sharpe's blood-drenched uniform.
3
当他们判定我们有罪时，我的脑子顿时一片空白。
dāng tā mén pàn dìng wǒ mén yǒu zuì shí， ， wǒ de nǎo zǐ dùn shí yī piàn kōng。
When they found us guilty, I just went blank.
4
他们叫嚷着冲到大街上，大街上顿时乱作一团。
tā mén jiào rǎng zháo chōng dào dà jiē shàng， ， dà jiē shàng dùn shí luàn zuò yī。
Pandemonium broke out as they ran into the street shouting.
Erect as a cavalry officer, tall, thin, commanding , he dominated the crowd in an instant.
8
他一读完那封由他付费的信, 顿时大发雷霆,随即便把信撕个粉碎.
tā yī dú wán nà fēng yóu tā fù fèi de xìn, , dùn shí dà fā léi, tíng , suí jí biàn bǎ xìn sī gè.
As soon as he finished reading the collect letter, he fell into a rage and tore it into pieces.
9
我把眼睛向船尾拦杆一瞄, 顿时浑身掠过一阵预兆性的寒颤.
wǒ bǎ yǎn jīng xiàng chuán wěi lán gān yī miáo, , dùn shí hún shēn lüè guò yī zhèn yù zhào xìng de hán.
I levelled my glance towards the taffrail, foreboding shivers ran over me.
10
他来到华盛顿时，不是以寻常的外来政客的身份，而是作为一位名人。
tā lái dào huá shèng dùn shí， ， bù shì yǐ xún cháng de wài lái zhèng kè de shēn， fèn ， ér shì zuò wéi yī wèi。
He had come to Washington, not as a common carpetbagger, but a man well known.
Cultural Notes for 顿时
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of sudden change is significant in Chinese storytelling, often reflecting the idea of fate or unexpected twists. This mirrors themes in traditional Chinese literature where characters face abrupt shifts in fortune.
Frequently Asked Questions about 顿时
No, 顿时 specifically indicates something that happens quickly or suddenly.
It is generally informal but can be used in written contexts as well.
While both mean 'immediately', 顿时 often implies a sudden emotional or situational shift, whereas 立刻 is more straightforwardly about timing.
