1. Character Basics
2. Pronunciation
3. Meaning
- Elder brother (in classical Chinese)
- Many, numerous
- Descendants, offspring
- Related to insects (in certain contexts)
- Kunlun Mountains (昆仑山, Kūn lún shān)
4. Common Words
5. Grammar & Usage
The character "昆" has several distinct uses in modern Chinese. It is most commonly found in compound words rather than being used alone.
昆虫是地球上种类最多的动物。(Kūnchóng shì dìqiú shàng zhǒnglèi zuì duō de dòngwù.) - Insects are the most diverse group of animals on Earth.
这个公园里有很多美丽的昆虫。(Zhè ge gōngyuán lǐ yǒu hěnduō měilì de kūnchóng.) - There are many beautiful insects in this park.
昆明是一个四季如春的城市。(Kūnmíng shì yīgè sìjì rú chūn de chéngshì.) - Kunming is a city with spring-like weather all year round.
昆仑山是中国西部的重要山脉。(Kūnlún shān shì Zhōngguó xībù de zhòngyào shānmài.) - The Kunlun Mountains are an important mountain range in western China.
他们昆仲二人都是著名的学者。(Tāmen kūnzhòng èr rén dōu shì zhùmíng de xuézhě.) - Both of these brothers are famous scholars.
这是我们家族的昆裔名单。(Zhè shì wǒmen jiāzú de kūn yì míngdān.) - This is the list of our family's descendants.
6. Cultural Background
The character "昆" has a rich cultural background in Chinese history and tradition. Originally meaning "elder brother" in classical Chinese, it later developed broader meanings related to multiplicity and descendants.
The Kunlun Mountains (昆仑山, Kūn lún shān) hold special significance in Chinese mythology and culture. They are often depicted as a sacred mountain range where immortals live, and they feature prominently in many ancient Chinese myths and legends.
Kunqu opera (昆曲, kūn qǔ) is one of the oldest forms of traditional Chinese opera, originating in the Kunshan region of Jiangsu Province during the Ming Dynasty. It is known for its elegant singing, subtle acting, and beautiful music, and it has been recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The city of Kunming (昆明, Kūn míng) in Yunnan Province is famous for its pleasant climate, earning it the nickname "City of Eternal Spring" (春城, chūn chéng). It has long been an important cultural and economic center in southwestern China.
7. Example Sentence
昆明以其宜人的气候和美丽的自然风光而闻名于世。
Kunming is world-famous for its pleasant climate and beautiful natural scenery.
8. Memory Tips
To remember the character "昆", notice its structure: it consists of the sun radical (日) on top and two horizontal strokes on the bottom. You can associate the sun radical with the idea of something that is bright or prominent, like an elder brother or a famous mountain range.
A helpful mnemonic is to think of "昆" as representing "the sun (日) over a horizon with two peaks", which can remind you of both its appearance and its connection to the Kunlun Mountains.
You can also connect the character "昆" with common words like "昆虫" (kūnchóng, insect) or "昆明" (Kūnmíng, Kunming city) to help remember its pronunciation and various meanings.