Learn a Chinese Character - 吨

1. Character Basics

Radical: 口 (Mouth radical)

Stroke Count: 7 (Number of strokes: 7)

Structure Analysis: 形声字，从口（容器），屯声（tún，表音）。本义指货物计量单位（如"吨位"），现指公制重量单位（如"公吨"）(Phonetic-semantic character: "口" (container) + "屯" (phonetic). Originally meant "cargo unit", now means "metric ton".)

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Dūn (First tone)

3. Meaning

Ton; unit of weight; metric ton; unit of measurement for mass; unit of cargo capacity; tonnage.

4. Common Words

• 吨位 (dūn wèi) Tonnage
• 公吨 (gōng dūn) Metric ton
• 短吨 (duǎn dūn) Short ton
• 货运吨 (huò yùn dūn) Freight ton

5. Grammar & Usage

The character 吨 (dūn) is primarily used as a unit of measurement:

• As a noun: Refers to the unit of weight. Example: 一吨货物 (yī dūn huò wù) - one ton of goods
• As a measure word: Used with numbers to indicate quantity. Example: 五吨钢材 (wǔ dūn gāng cái) - five tons of steel
• In compound words: Often combined with other characters. Example: 吨公里 (dūn gōng lǐ) - ton-kilometer
• In technical contexts: Used in shipping, logistics, and industry. Example: 船舶吨位 (chuán bó dūn wèi) - ship tonnage
• Figurative usage: Sometimes used informally to indicate a large quantity. Example: 吨级 (dūn jí) - ton-level (significant amount)

6. Cultural Background

The character 吨 (dūn) has cultural significance in modern China:

• The character 吨 was created in the early 20th century as a translation of the Western unit "ton" during China's modernization period.
• China's adoption of the metric system in the 1950s solidified 吨 (metric ton) as a standard unit of measurement.
• The development of China's shipping industry is often measured by 吨位 (tonnage), reflecting economic growth.
• Heavy industry and manufacturing in China frequently use 吨 as a key performance indicator for production capacity.
• Environmental discussions in China often reference 吨 when talking about carbon emissions or pollution levels.
• Modern Chinese vocabulary related to international trade and logistics relies heavily on 吨 as a standard unit.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

Combine "口" (container) + "屯" (store) → Measuring stored goods. 组合“口”+“屯”→ 测量存储货物的单位。