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March 24, 2026
甸diān(dian1)
The character 甸 (diān) primarily refers to the suburbs or outskirts of a capital city, often in a historical context. It can also denote governance, agricultural aspects related to crops, and has historical significance as a term for an official responsible for overseeing fields or agricultural affairs in ancient China.
Strokes7Radical田Frequency#34686DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In ancient China, the concept of governance over agricultural land was crucial for societal stability, and the role of officials like those referred to by 甸 reflected the importance of agriculture in the socio-political structure.
Memory tip
Imagine a city with a sprawling landscape of crops at its edges, where the 'diān' (甸) is the area that supplies the capital with food. The character itself has a 'field' (田) component, hinting at its agricultural ties. Picture an official in a traditional robe overseeing these fields, ensuring the crops thrive and reach the capital.
Meanings of 甸
diān(dian1)
primary
1suburbs of the capital; to govern; crops
2one of the five degrees of official mourning attire in dynastic China
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 甸
甸Simplified
7Strokes
田Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 甸
Podcast: 甸
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AI study notes for 甸
Usage Notes
While 甸 can denote suburbs, learners should be careful not to confuse it with related terms like 郊 (jiāo), which means 'suburb' in a modern sense. This term is more formal and historical, so it may not be commonly used in everyday conversation. It's often found in literary or historical texts.
HSK Study Tips
Although 甸 is not part of the HSK levels, it connects to HSK vocabulary related to governance and agriculture. Students should focus on recognizing the character's structure and its historical usage as they expand their vocabulary into more specialized topics.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 甸 (diān) with similar-sounding characters like 田 (tián), which means 'field'. For example, saying '我住在田' (wǒ zhù zài tián - I live in the field) instead of using 甸 to indicate living in a suburb would be incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 甸
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甸 = 勹 + 田. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 甸
IDS Structure⿹勹田
甸Full character
=
勹bao1
enclosing
田Tian2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 甸?
How to say suburbs of the capital; to govern; crops in Chinese
“suburbs of the capital; to govern; crops” in Chinese is甸diàn
The character 甸 (diān) primarily refers to the suburbs or outskirts of a capital city, often in a historical context. It can also denote governance, agricultural aspects related to crops, and has historical significance as a term for an official responsible for overseeing fields or agricultural affairs in ancient China.
When to use 甸
While 甸 can denote suburbs, learners should be careful not to confuse it with related terms like 郊 (jiāo), which means 'suburb' in a modern sense. This term is more formal and historical, so it may not be commonly used in everyday conversation. It's often found in literary or historical texts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 甸 (diān) with similar-sounding characters like 田 (tián), which means 'field'. For example, saying '我住在田' (wǒ zhù zài tián - I live in the field) instead of using 甸 to indicate living in a suburb would be incorrect.
Write 甸
甸
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Grammar patterns of 甸
甸 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
装运着沉____甸的记忆, 亮的 、 暗的、灰的.
Loaded with heavy memories -- bright, dark and gray.
Example sentences for 甸 (6)
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1
装运着沉甸甸的记忆, 亮的 、 暗的、灰的.
zhuāng yùn zhe chéndiàndiàn de jìyì, liàng de、 àn de、 huī de.
Loaded with heavy memories -- bright, dark and gray.
2
上个星期，这个部门的筑路机开始将特怀福德丘陵地带的浸水草甸推平。
shàng gè xīngqī， zhège bùmén de zhù lù Jī kāishǐ jiāng tè huái fú dé qiūlíng dìdài de jìn shuǐ cǎo diān tuī píng。
Last week, the department's road builders began to bulldoze a water meadow on Twyford Down.
3
他的右腕上戴着一只沉甸甸的金手镯。
tā de yòu wàn shàng dài zhe yī zhī chéndiàndiàn de jīn shǒu zhuó。
Hanging from his right wrist is a heavy gold bracelet.
4
唐的腰间沉甸甸地坠着一圈赘肉。
táng de yāo jiān chéndiàndiàn dì zhuì zhe yī juān zhuì ròu。
Don had a hefty roll of flab overhanging his waistband.
5
这些难消化的食物沉甸甸地压在我胃里.
zhèxiē nán xiāohuà de shíwù chéndiàndiàn dì yā zài wǒ wèi lǐ.
Distribution: Jardine's Lookout , Mount Cameron, Sunset Peak. Guangdong, Guangxi and Guizhou.
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Word Family of 甸
Words containing this character20
缅甸Myanmar (or Burma)緬甸
伊甸园Garden of Eden伊甸園
甸diānsuburbs or outskirts
沉甸甸chéndiàndiànheavy
草甸meadow
罗甸Luodian county in Qiannan Buyei and Miao autonomous prefecture 黔南州[Qiánnánzhōu], Guizhou羅甸
中甸Gyeltang or Gyalthang town and county, former name of Shangri-La county 香格里拉縣|香格里拉县[Xiānggélǐlāxiàn] in Dêqên or Diqing Tibetan autonomous prefecture 迪慶藏族自治州|迪庆藏族自治州[DíqìngZàngzúzìzhìzhōu], northwest Yunnan
罗甸县Luodian county in Qiannan Buyei and Miao autonomous prefecture 黔南州[Qiánnánzhōu], Guizhou羅甸縣
蔡甸区Caidian district of Wuhan city 武漢市|武汉市[Wǔhànshì], Hubei蔡甸區
宽甸abbr. for 寬甸滿族自治縣|宽甸满族自治县寬甸
林甸县Lindian county in Daqing 大慶|大庆[Dàqìng], Heilongjiang林甸縣
桦甸市Huadian county level city in Jilin prefecture 吉林, Jilin province樺甸市
桦甸Huadian county level city in Jilin prefecture 吉林, Jilin province樺甸
宽甸县abbr. for 寬甸滿族自治縣|宽甸满族自治县寬甸縣
林甸Lindian county in Daqing 大慶|大庆[Dàqìng], Heilongjiang
寻甸县Xundian Hui and Yi autonomous county in Kunming 昆明[Kūnmíng], Yunnan尋甸縣
中甸县Gyeltang or Gyalthang town and county, former name of Shangri-La county 香格里拉縣|香格里拉县[Xiānggélǐlāxiàn] in Dêqên or Diqing Tibetan autonomous prefecture 迪慶藏族自治州|迪庆藏族自治州[DíqìngZàngzúzìzhìzhōu], northwest Yunnan中甸縣
鲁甸县Ludian county in Zhaotong 昭通[Zhāotōng], Yunnan魯甸縣
施甸县Shidian county in Baoshan 保山[Bǎoshān], Yunnan施甸縣
鲁甸Ludian county in Zhaotong 昭通[Zhāotōng], Yunnan魯甸
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 甸
What does 缅甸 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 甸
In modern usage, 甸 is not commonly used and mainly appears in historical texts to indicate suburbs or official roles related to agriculture.
No, 甸 is more often found in literature or historical discussions rather than in everyday conversation.
It is pronounced as 'diān', with a high and level tone.
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