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昆 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
昆
kūn
(also used for transliteration)
ns, 8 strokes, radical 日, rank #12083, Very Hard
昆
kūn
elder brother; descendants
ns, 8 strokes, radical 日, rank #12083, Very Hard
昆
kūn
a style of Chinese poetry
unknown, 8 strokes, radical 日, rank #12083, Very Hard
昆
kūn
used in place names, notably Kunlun Mountains 崑崙
ns, 8 strokes, radical 日, rank #12083, Very Hard
kūn(kun1)kun T1
1(also used for transliteration)
2elder brother; descendants
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March 24, 2026
昆(崐)kūn(kun1)
The character 昆 (kūn) primarily refers to a variant of 崑, often associated with elder brothers or descendants. It is commonly seen in geographical names such as the Kunlun Mountains and in certain poetic contexts, reflecting a familial or ancestral connection.
Strokes8Radical日Frequency#12083DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
The Kunlun Mountains are deeply rooted in Chinese mythology, often regarded as the abode of the immortals and a symbol of ancient wisdom, which enhances the cultural significance of the character 昆 in literature and folklore.
Memory tip
Imagine a wise elder brother standing on top of the majestic Kunlun Mountains, symbolizing strength and heritage. The character 昆 has a top part resembling a mountain peak, linking its meaning to high places and ancestors.
Meanings of 昆
kūn(kun1)
1(also used for transliteration)
2elder brother; descendants
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 昆 means.
About 昆
昆Simplified
崐Traditional
8Strokes
日Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#12083Frequency Rank
Podcast: 昆
Podcast: 昆
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AI study notes for 昆
Usage Notes
When using 昆, learners should be mindful that it is often found in formal contexts, particularly in literature or geography. A common mistake is to confuse it with other similar characters like 崑; ensure to use the correct character based on context, especially in names.
HSK Study Tips
While 昆 is not an HSK-recognized word, it connects to other vocabulary at HSK Level 4 and above related to family (e.g., 哥哥 gēge for older brother) and geography. Focus on recognizing its use in place names and poetry.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 昆 with 崑 or other similar characters. For example, using 宗 (zōng) instead of 昆 when discussing family lineage is incorrect; ensure to use 昆 when specifically referring to elder brothers or descendants.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 昆
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How to say (also used for transliteration) in Chinese
“(also used for transliteration)” in Chinese is昆kūn
The character 昆 (kūn) primarily refers to a variant of 崑, often associated with elder brothers or descendants. It is commonly seen in geographical names such as the Kunlun Mountains and in certain poetic contexts, reflecting a familial or ancestral connection.
When to use 昆
When using 昆, learners should be mindful that it is often found in formal contexts, particularly in literature or geography. A common mistake is to confuse it with other similar characters like 崑; ensure to use the correct character based on context, especially in names.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 昆 with 崑 or other similar characters. For example, using 宗 (zōng) instead of 昆 when discussing family lineage is incorrect; ensure to use 昆 when specifically referring to elder brothers or descendants.
Write 昆
昆
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Practice writing 昆 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 昆
昆 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 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我继续研究飞蛾，并将研究范围扩展到其他____虫。
I continued studying moths, and branched out to other insects.
