Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
堃 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
堃kūncompliance, obedience; femalezg, 11 strokes, radical 土
kūn(kun1)kun T1
  1. 1compliance, obedience; female
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

堃kūn(kun1)

The character 堃 (kūn) primarily conveys the idea of compliance or obedience, often in the context of following rules or norms. It can also refer to a feminine quality or aspect, although this usage is less common. You'll typically encounter it in discussions about behavior or social expectations.

Strokes11Radical土
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese society, the concepts of obedience and compliance are often tied to Confucian values, emphasizing respect for authority and harmony in social relationships. The character 堃 can symbolize the expected behavior of women in historical contexts.

Memory tip

Imagine a woman (representing the feminine aspect) standing on a mound of earth (the radical 土, meaning 'earth') while complying with the laws of nature. The sound 'kūn' can be recalled by visualizing her saying 'cool' as she follows these rules, combining imagery of compliance and femininity.

Meanings of 堃

kūn(kun1)
1compliance, obedience; female
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 堃 means.

About 堃

堃Simplified
11Strokes
土Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 堃

JasonAmy

Podcast: 堃

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 堃

Usage Notes

This character is relatively uncommon, so it's important to use it in contexts where obedience or compliance is explicitly discussed. Learners should be cautious of mispronouncing it, as tone errors can lead to misunderstandings. It may appear in formal discussions rather than informal conversations.

HSK Study Tips

While 堃 is not an HSK level word, students should focus on recognizing it in context. It connects with other words about behavior and social norms, enhancing vocabulary around compliance and societal roles. Consider practicing with related characters to build a thematic understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 堃 with similar sounding characters or fail to apply the correct tone, resulting in miscommunication. For instance, saying 'kun' instead of 'kūn' can change the meaning entirely.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 堃

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 堃 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 堃 to you

Let me explain 堃 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 堃 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

How well do you know 堃?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 堃 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 堃

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 申 represents the meaning and 土 represents the sound. Simplified form of 堃.

Memory hint

earth

Semantic (meaning)土
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 堃?

Decomposition of 堃

IDS Structure⿱⿰方方土
堃Full character
=
方Fang1
left
方Fang1
right
土Tu3
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 堃?

How to say compliance, obedience; female in Chinese

“compliance, obedience; female” in Chinese is堃kūn

The character 堃 (kūn) primarily conveys the idea of compliance or obedience, often in the context of following rules or norms. It can also refer to a feminine quality or aspect, although this usage is less common. You'll typically encounter it in discussions about behavior or social expectations.

When to use 堃

This character is relatively uncommon, so it's important to use it in contexts where obedience or compliance is explicitly discussed. Learners should be cautious of mispronouncing it, as tone errors can lead to misunderstandings. It may appear in formal discussions rather than informal conversations.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 堃 with similar sounding characters or fail to apply the correct tone, resulting in miscommunication. For instance, saying 'kun' instead of 'kūn' can change the meaning entirely.

Write 堃

堃

Practice writing 堃 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 堃?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

Word Family of 堃

Words containing this character7
坤kūn☷
乾坤yin and yang
扭转乾坤to turn things around扭轉乾坤
巴里坤Barkol Kazakh autonomous county or Barköl Qazaq aptonom nahiyisi in Kumul prefecture 哈密地區|哈密地区[Hā​mì​dì​qū], Xinjiang
巴里坤县Barkol Kazakh autonomous county or Barköl Qazaq aptonom nahiyisi in Kumul prefecture 哈密地區|哈密地区[Hā​mì​dì​qū], Xinjiang巴里坤縣
巴里坤哈萨克自治县Barkol Kazakh autonomous county or Barköl Qazaq aptonom nahiyisi in Kumul prefecture 哈密地區|哈密地区[Hā​mì​dì​qū], Xinjiang巴里坤哈薩克自治縣
旋乾转坤a radical change旋乾轉坤
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 堃

What does 坤 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 堃

In everyday language, 堃 relates to themes of compliance and obedience, often used in discussions about social behavior.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 堃?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab