unknown, 17 strokes, radical 目, rank #23226, Very Hard
tóng(tong2) T2
1the pupil of the eye
2pupil of the eye
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March 24, 2026
瞳tóng(tong2)
The character 瞳 (tóng) refers specifically to the pupil of the eye, which is the black circular opening in the center of the eye that allows light to enter. It is often used in contexts related to vision, beauty, and emotional expression, as the eyes are seen as windows to the soul.
Strokes17Radical目Frequency#23226DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the eyes are highly significant in terms of beauty and emotional expression. The phrase '眼神' (yǎnshén) refers to the spirit or expression in one’s eyes, highlighting their importance in communication.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'tome' (sounds like 'tóng') filled with stories about the eyes and their pupils. The character 瞳 looks like two eyes (the radical '目' for eye) focusing on something important, representing the essence of sight.
Meanings of 瞳
tóng(tong2)
1the pupil of the eye
2pupil of the eye
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 瞳
瞳Simplified
17Strokes
目Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 瞳
Podcast: 瞳
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AI Study Notes for 瞳
Quick Contrast
眼 (yǎn, eye) - use 瞳 (tóng) when specifically referring to the pupil, not the entire eye.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'tome' (sounds like 'tóng') filled with stories about the eyes and their pupils. The character 瞳 looks like two eyes (the radical '目' for eye) focusing on something important, representing the essence of sight.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 瞳 with other eye-related words like 眼 (yǎn, eye) or 眼睛 (yǎnjīng, eyeball). 瞳 is more specific, so be mindful to use it when discussing the pupil specifically. This term is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
HSK Study Tips
Although 瞳 is not yet at an HSK level, it is beneficial for students to understand related vocabulary like 眼 (yǎn, eye) and 视力 (shìlì, vision). Focus on pronunciation and the context in which you would describe aspects of the eyes.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the eyes are highly significant in terms of beauty and emotional expression. The phrase '眼神' (yǎnshén) refers to the spirit or expression in one’s eyes, highlighting their importance in communication.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 瞳 with 眼睛 (yǎnjīng) when trying to describe the whole eye. For example, saying '我有大瞳睛' (I have big pupils) is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '我有大眼睛' (I have big eyes).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 瞳
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Cultural Notes for 瞳
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the eyes are highly significant in terms of beauty and emotional expression. The phrase '眼神' (yǎnshén) refers to the spirit or expression in one’s eyes, highlighting their importance in communication.
Word Family of 瞳
Words Containing This Character4
瞳孔pupil (of eye)
瞳tóngpupil of the eye
瞳仁pupil of the eye
双瞳剪水clear, bright eyes (idiom)雙瞳翦水
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 瞳孔 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 瞳
瞳 specifically refers to the pupil, while 眼 refers to the eye in general.
Yes, it can be used in both casual and formal discussions about vision or beauty.
