Learn a Chinese Character - 顿

1. Character Basics

Radical: 页 (Head radical)

Stroke Count: 10 (Number of strokes: 10)

Structure Analysis: 形声字，从页（头部），屯声（tún，表音）。本义指点头（如"顿首"），现指时间单位（如"停顿"）(Phonetic-semantic character: "页" (head) + "屯" (phonetic). Originally meant "nod", now means "temporal unit".)

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Dùn (Fourth tone)

3. Meaning

Pause; stop; halt; moment; sudden; immediately; temporary stay; unit of meal; to organize; to arrange; to tidy up.

4. Common Words

• 停顿 (tíng dùn) Pause
• 顿时 (dùn shí) Immediately
• 整顿 (zhěng dùn) Reorganize
• 顿号 (dùn hào) Enumeration comma

5. Grammar & Usage

The character 顿 (dùn) has multiple usages:

• As a verb: To pause or stop. Example: 停顿一下 (tíng dùn yī xià) - pause for a moment
• As an adverb: Suddenly or immediately. Example: 顿时明白了 (dùn shí míng bái le) - suddenly understood
• As a measure word: For meals. Example: 一顿饭 (yī dùn fàn) - a meal
• In fixed expressions: 顿足捶胸 (dùn zú chuí xiōng) - stamp one's foot and beat one's chest (showing regret or anger)
• In written Chinese: 顿号 (dùn hào) is used as an enumeration comma

6. Cultural Background

The character 顿 (dùn) has interesting cultural dimensions:

• Historically, 顿首 (dùn shǒu) was a traditional Chinese greeting where one would bow with the head touching the ground.
• The concept of 顿 (pause) is important in Chinese poetry and calligraphy, representing rhythm and balance.
• In Chinese cuisine culture, 一日三餐 (yī rì sān cān) - three meals a day - is the standard pattern.
• Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the importance of regular eating patterns (按时吃饭 àn shí chī fàn).
• The character is used in business contexts to mean restructuring or reorganization (整顿 zhěng dùn).
• In modern technology, 顿号 (enumeration comma) remains a unique punctuation mark in Chinese writing.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

Combine "屯" (store) + "页" (head) → Storing thoughts in mind. 组合“屯”+“页”→ 在脑中储存思想。