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March 24, 2026
尘(塵)chén(chen2)
The character 尘 (chén) refers to fine particles such as dust or dirt that accumulate in the environment. It is commonly used in both literal contexts, such as describing physical dirt, and figurative contexts, such as metaphorically representing insignificance or trivial matters.
Strokes6Radical小Frequency#7019DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, dust can symbolize neglect or the passage of time, often used in poetic expressions to convey the idea of something forgotten or the inevitability of decay. For example, the phrase '尘世' (chénshì) refers to the mundane world, contrasting with spiritual or ideal realms.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tiny speck of dust (尘) floating through the air. The character resembles a small particle, with the top resembling a small point of dust and the bottom suggesting a base where dirt settles. Remembering 'chén' can be aided by picturing dust dancing in a sunbeam, highlighting its light and ephemeral nature.
Meanings of 尘
chén(chen2)
1dust
2dirt
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 尘 means.
About 尘
尘Simplified
塵Traditional
6Strokes
小Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7019Frequency Rank
Podcast: 尘
Podcast: 尘
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AI Study Notes for 尘
Quick Contrast
尘 (dust) vs 沙 (sand) — use 尘 for finer particles typically found indoors, while 沙 refers to coarser particles found in outdoor environments like beaches.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 尘 with similar characters like 灰 (huī) which means ash. 尘 is more about dust and dirt, while 灰 relates to burnt material. This word is informal and commonly used in everyday conversation, so it's important to practice its use in casual contexts.
HSK Study Tips
While 尘 is not listed in the HSK, it connects with other HSK vocabulary related to nature and the environment. Students should focus on recognizing its use in phrases about cleanliness or the environment, such as 尘埃 (chén'āi), meaning 'dust'.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 尘 to refer to larger debris or unclean items, such as using it to describe garbage. Instead, it should specifically refer to fine dust or dirt, so use '垃圾' (lājī) for trash instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 尘
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How Well Do You Know 尘?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 尘 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.
The character 尘 (chén) refers to fine particles such as dust or dirt that accumulate in the environment. It is commonly used in both literal contexts, such as describing physical dirt, and figurative contexts, such as metaphorically representing insignificance or trivial matters.
When to use 尘
Learners often confuse 尘 with similar characters like 灰 (huī) which means ash. 尘 is more about dust and dirt, while 灰 relates to burnt material. This word is informal and commonly used in everyday conversation, so it's important to practice its use in casual contexts.
尘 or something close to it
尘 (dust) vs 沙 (sand) — use 尘 for finer particles typically found indoors, while 沙 refers to coarser particles found in outdoor environments like beaches.
What learners get wrong
Learners may mistakenly use 尘 to refer to larger debris or unclean items, such as using it to describe garbage. Instead, it should specifically refer to fine dust or dirt, so use '垃圾' (lājī) for trash instead.
Write 尘
尘
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Practice writing 尘 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 尘
尘 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.
灯光照在满是灰____的墙上，反射回苍白的冷光。
Lights reflected off dust-covered walls creating a ghostly luminescence.
Common Confusions with 尘
尘vs辰
chén
Similar sound and shape, but different meanings.
Exercise 1 of 1
Which one
Which one means “dust”?
or
Example Sentences for 尘 (40)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
灯光照在满是灰尘的墙上，反射回苍白的冷光。
dēng guāng zhào zài mǎn shì huī chén de qiáng shàng， ， fǎn shè huí cāng bái de lěng。
Lights reflected off dust-covered walls creating a ghostly luminescence.
2
一团粉尘在他周围扬起。
yī tuán fěn chén zài tā zhōu wéi yáng qǐ。
The powdery dust rose in a cloud around him.
3
他能听到真空吸尘器的嗡嗡声。
tā néng tīng dào zhēn kōng xī chén qì de wēng wēng shēng。
He could hear the whirr of a vacuum cleaner.
4
他起身掸去了衣服上的灰尘并将信折起来收好。
tā qǐ shēn dǎn qù le yī fú shàng de huī chén bìng jiāng xìn zhē qǐ lái shōu hǎo。
He stood and dusted down his suit and folded the letter away.
