Meanings of 斷
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About 斷
Podcast: 斷
Podcast: 斷
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AI Study Notes for 斷
断 (duàn) vs 切 (qiē) — use 断 when emphasizing a decisive or final severing, while 切 focuses on the act of cutting without the implication of finality.
Be mindful not to confuse 斷 with similar-sounding words that have different meanings. This character is more formal, so it is best used in written contexts or formal conversations. Common collocations include 斷絕 (duànjué - to sever completely) and 斷開 (duànkāi - to break or disconnect).
Although 斷 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, it connects to HSK Level 4 words related to actions and processes, such as 结束 (jiéshù - to end). Focus on the usage of this character in compound phrases to expand understanding.
Learners often mistakenly use 斷 in informal contexts, where simpler terms may apply, such as using 斷 to mean 'to end' in casual conversation. An incorrect example would be saying '我們斷了' (Wǒmen duànle - We cut off), instead of saying '我們結束了' (Wǒmen jiéshùle - We ended).
Pronunciation of 斷
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Etymology of 斷
Simplified form of 斷. Depicts cutting off threads with an axe (斤)
Threads 幺 severed 一 by an axe 斤
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 斷
Simplified form of 斷. Depicts cutting off threads with an axe (斤)
- 1The giveawayThreads 幺 severed 一 by an axe 斤
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 斷? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 斷?
Decomposition of 斷
Identify the Components
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How to say to sever, to cut off, to interrupt in Chinese
“to sever, to cut off, to interrupt” in Chinese is斷
The character 斷 (duàn) primarily means 'to sever' or 'to cut off.' It is commonly used in contexts where something is interrupted or stopped abruptly, such as a conversation or a relationship. The nuance of this word can imply a sense of finality or a decisive action.
When to use 斷
Be mindful not to confuse 斷 with similar-sounding words that have different meanings. This character is more formal, so it is best used in written contexts or formal conversations. Common collocations include 斷絕 (duànjué - to sever completely) and 斷開 (duànkāi - to break or disconnect).
斷 or something close to it
断 (duàn) vs 切 (qiē) — use 断 when emphasizing a decisive or final severing, while 切 focuses on the act of cutting without the implication of finality.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 斷 in informal contexts, where simpler terms may apply, such as using 斷 to mean 'to end' in casual conversation. An incorrect example would be saying '我們斷了' (Wǒmen duànle - We cut off), instead of saying '我們結束了' (Wǒmen jiéshùle - We ended).
Write 斷
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Practice writing 斷 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 斷
Compound Meaning
What does 不断 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 斷
Common phrases include 斷絕 (to sever completely) and 斷開 (to break off), both indicating a strong sense of cutting ties.
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