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March 24, 2026
咚dōng(dong1)
The character 咚 (dōng) is an onomatopoetic word that represents a deep, resonant thumping sound, often associated with drums or heavy objects hitting the ground. It can also convey a sense of something impactful or sudden happening, frequently used in storytelling or music to create vivid imagery.
Strokes8Radical口Frequency#14993DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sounds play an essential role in storytelling and poetry, with onomatopoeic words like 咚 adding depth to descriptions. It is often used in traditional songs or performances to signify significant moments.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large drum that, when struck, produces a low 'dōng' sound that resonates through the air. The character 咚 resembles a mouth (口) opening wide to shout the 'dōng' sound, emphasizing the loudness of the thump.
Meanings of 咚
dōng(dong1)
1onomatopoetic, a thumping sound
2boom (of a drum)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 咚
咚Simplified
8Strokes
口Radical
拟声词onomatopoeia (onom.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 咚
Podcast: 咚
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AI Study Notes for 咚
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a large drum that, when struck, produces a low 'dōng' sound that resonates through the air. The character 咚 resembles a mouth (口) opening wide to shout the 'dōng' sound, emphasizing the loudness of the thump.
Usage Notes
咚 is typically used in informal contexts, often in spoken language or creative writing. Learners should be mindful of its sound mimicking nature and avoid using it in formal settings. A common collocation is '咚咚声' (the sound of thumping).
HSK Study Tips
Although 咚 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it is useful for students at all levels to understand onomatopoeic words, which can enhance their listening and speaking skills. Students should focus on how onomatopoeia can add color and emotion to their language use.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sounds play an essential role in storytelling and poetry, with onomatopoeic words like 咚 adding depth to descriptions. It is often used in traditional songs or performances to signify significant moments.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 咚 with other sound-related words like '响' (xiǎng, to sound) or '声' (shēng, sound). For example, saying '他发出响的一声咚' is incorrect; the correct phrasing would be '他发出咚的一声'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 咚
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Grammar Patterns of 咚
咚 functions as an onomatopoeic word — it imitates a sound. It often functions as an adverbial or stand-alone exclamation rather than a true verb or noun. 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
麦圭尔举起瓶子咕____咕咚地喝了一大通苦柠檬汁。
McGuire took a long swig from his bottle of bitter lemon.
wǒ mén màn bù jīng guò quán shuǐ dīng dōng de pēn quán hé fēn fāng sì yì de huā yuán。
We strolled past tinkling fountains and perfumed gardens.
4
我的心开始咚咚跳，嘴里发干。
wǒ de xīn kāi shǐ dōng dōng tiào， ， zuǐ lǐ fā。
My heart had started to thud, and my mouth was dry.
5
他用指头咚咚地连敲着桌子.
tā yòng zhǐ tóu dōng dōng dì lián qiāo zháo zhuō zǐ.
He beat a tattoo with his fingers on the table.
6
他怒气冲冲地把那个空机器敲得咚咚直响.
tā nù qì chōng chōng dì bǎ nà gè kōng jī qì qiāo dé dōng dōng zhí xiǎng.
He rattled the empty machine spitefully.
7
我听见你咚咚地砸门。
wǒ tīng jiàn nǐ dōng dōng dì zá mén。
I heard you thumping on the door.
Cultural Notes for 咚
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, sounds play an essential role in storytelling and poetry, with onomatopoeic words like 咚 adding depth to descriptions. It is often used in traditional songs or performances to signify significant moments.
Word Family of 咚
Words Containing This Character5
咚dōngboom (of a drum)
叮咚(onom.) ding dong
咚咚(onom.) thud
咕咚splash
黑咕隆咚pitch-black
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 咚 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 咚
You can say, '他摔倒的时候发出了咚的一声' (He fell and made a 'dōng' sound).
No, 咚 is primarily used in informal contexts or spoken language.
Not exactly; 咚 specifically refers to deep, thumping sounds, particularly related to drums or heavy impacts.
