Learn a Chinese Character - 当 (Dāng/Dàng) - Serve; Appropriate

1. Character Basics

Radical: 彐（倒山旁） (Reversed mountain radical, related to covering or containing)

Stroke Count: 6 (Number of strokes: 6)

Structure Analysis: 原为象形字（甲骨文像金属撞击的声音符号），后演变为形声字，从田，尚声（或认为是会意字，表覆盖、阻挡）。现代常用作动词或介词。(Originally a pictograph (Oracle bone script resembling a sound symbol of metal collision), later evolved into a phonetic-semantic character. Modern usage: verb/preposition.)

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Dāng（第一声，动词/介词） / Dàng（第四声，形容词/动词） (Dāng: first tone (verb/preposition); Dàng: fourth tone (adjective/verb))

3. Meaning

"当" has two pronunciations and meanings:
1. Dāng (first tone):
- Verb: Serve as (e.g., "当老师" - be a teacher);
- Preposition: At (a certain time) (e.g., "当我回家时" - when I go home).
2. Dàng (fourth tone):
- Adjective: Appropriate (e.g., "恰当" - appropriate);
- Verb: Treat as (e.g., "当作" - treat as). “当”有两种读音和含义：
1. Dāng（第一声）：
- 动词：担任（如“当老师”）；
- 介词：在（某个时候）（如“当我回家时”）。
2. Dàng（第四声）：
- 形容词：合适（如“恰当”）；
- 动词：作为（如“当作”）。)

4. Common Words

• 当前 (dāng qián) Current
• 当然 (dāng rán) Of course
• 恰当 (qià dàng) Appropriate
• 当作 (dàng zuò) Treat as

5. Grammar & Usage

"当" as a verb (Dāng) collocates with roles (e.g., "当医生" - be a doctor). As a preposition (Dāng), it introduces time clauses (e.g., "当春天来临时" - when spring comes). As an adjective (Dàng), it modifies nouns (e.g., "恰当的方法" - appropriate method). “当”作动词（Dāng）时与职业搭配（如“当医生”）；作介词（Dāng）时引导时间从句（如“当春天来临时”）；作形容词（Dàng）时修饰名词（如“恰当的方法”）。)

6. Cultural Background

The idiom "当仁不让" (dāng rén bù ràng) means "not decline to take responsibility", reflecting the traditional value of proactive action. "首当其冲" (shǒu dāng qí chōng) describes being the first to be affected, often used in news reports. 成语“当仁不让”体现主动承担责任的传统价值观；“首当其冲”指最先受到影响，常见于新闻报道。)

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

Associate "当" with its common usage: "Dāng" for "serve as" (e.g., "当老师") and "Dàng" for "appropriate" (e.g., "恰当"). Imagine "当" as a bridge connecting actions and time ("当...时") to reinforce memory. 联想“当”的常见搭配：Dāng对应“担任”（如“当老师”），Dàng对应“合适”（如“恰当”）；想象“当”作为连接动作与时间的桥梁（“当...时”）强化记忆。)