Meanings of 陨
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 陨
Podcast: 陨
Podcast: 陨
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 陨
陨 (yǔn) vs 坠 (zhuì) — use 陨 for celestial objects or metaphorical death, while 坠 emphasizes a physical falling or dropping.
Imagine a meteor (陨) falling from the sky, slipping down through the clouds. The character has the radical for 'mountain' (山) on the left, hinting at heights, while the right side suggests movement downwards, creating a vivid image of something falling from above.
When using 陨, be careful not to confuse it with similar characters like 殞 (yǔn), which also refers to death but is used in more formal contexts. This character is generally used in literary or formal settings rather than casual conversation.
Although 陨 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to other terms at the advanced level related to celestial phenomena and death. Students should focus on its applications in literature and science to fully grasp its nuances.
In Chinese culture, the concept of falling stars or meteors is often associated with wishes or omens, making 陨 relevant in both poetic and everyday contexts. This ties into traditional beliefs about fate and the universe.
Learners may confuse 陨 with similar-sounding characters due to pronunciation or meaning. For example, using 陨 in a casual context instead of a more appropriate term can sound overly formal or literary, which might not suit the conversation.
Pronunciation of 陨
Drill the tone of 陨 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 陨
Phonosemantic compound. 阝 represents the meaning and 员 represents the sound. Simplified form of 隕.
place
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 陨?
Decomposition of 陨
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 陨?
Write 陨
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 陨 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 陨
陨 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 3 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.
Complete the Sentence
明亮的流星，或者说____石，是番难忘的景象。
A bright shooting star, or meteor, is an unforgettable sight.
Example Sentences for 陨 (1)
Cultural Notes for 陨
In Chinese culture, the concept of falling stars or meteors is often associated with wishes or omens, making 陨 relevant in both poetic and everyday contexts. This ties into traditional beliefs about fate and the universe.
Word Family of 陨
Compound Meaning
What does 陨石 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 陨
While both characters can refer to dying or falling, 陨 is often used for meteors and in literary senses, whereas 殞 is more formal and typically relates to death.