Meanings of 坤
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Podcast: 坤
Podcast: 坤
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AI Study Notes for 坤
乾 (qián) - use 坤 (kūn) when emphasizing earthiness and femininity, whereas 乾 (qián) focuses on heaven and masculinity.
While 坤 is not commonly used in everyday speech, it may appear in philosophical or poetic contexts. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters, and remember that it conveys a sense of support and nurturing, which may not be the first interpretation for learners from more individualistic cultures.
Although 坤 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, understanding this character can enhance your comprehension of Chinese philosophy, especially related to yin-yang concepts. Students should focus on its symbolic meanings and how it interacts with other related characters like 乾 (qián).
Learners might confuse 坤 with 乾 (qián), which represents the masculine principle. A common mistake is to incorrectly use 坤 in contexts that require a more active or assertive term. For example, saying '坤' to describe a leader could be misleading, as it suggests nurturing rather than assertiveness.
Pronunciation of 坤
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Jason Explains 坤 to You
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Etymology of 坤
Phonosemantic compound. 申 represents the meaning and 土 represents the sound. Simplified form of 堃.
earth
Origin
坤 = 申 + 土. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 坤
Parts
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How to say earth; feminine in Chinese
“earth; feminine” in Chinese is坤
The character 坤 (kūn) represents the concept of earth and is often associated with femininity in traditional Chinese philosophy. It is one of the Eight Trigrams (八卦), symbolizing stability, receptivity, and nurturing qualities, often seen as complementary to the masculine principle represented by 乾 (qián). In this context, it conveys a sense of grounding and support.
When to use 坤
While 坤 is not commonly used in everyday speech, it may appear in philosophical or poetic contexts. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters, and remember that it conveys a sense of support and nurturing, which may not be the first interpretation for learners from more individualistic cultures.
坤 or something close to it
乾 (qián) - use 坤 (kūn) when emphasizing earthiness and femininity, whereas 乾 (qián) focuses on heaven and masculinity.
What learners get wrong
Learners might confuse 坤 with 乾 (qián), which represents the masculine principle. A common mistake is to incorrectly use 坤 in contexts that require a more active or assertive term. For example, saying '坤' to describe a leader could be misleading, as it suggests nurturing rather than assertiveness.
Write 坤
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Practice writing 坤 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 坤
坤 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 5 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.
Fill the gap
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结论: 培____胶囊有明显的滋阴补肾作用.
Conclusion: Peikun Capsule has obvious effects of nourishing yin and supplementing kidney.
Example Sentences for 坤 (3)
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Word Family of 坤
Words with 坤
What does 乾坤 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 坤
In the Eight Trigrams, 坤 symbolizes the earth and embodies qualities like receptiveness, stability, and nurturing.
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