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) 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
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 昆
昆Simplified
崐Traditional
8Strokes
日Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#12083Frequency Rank
Podcast: 昆
Podcast: 昆
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
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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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2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 昆? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 昆?
Decomposition of 昆
IDS Structure⿱日比
昆Full Character
=
日Ri4
top
比Bi3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 昆?
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
Complete the Sentence
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.
Example Sentences for 昆 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我继续研究飞蛾，并将研究范围扩展到其他昆虫。
wǒ jì xù yán jiū fēi é， ， bìng jiāng yán jiū fàn wéi kuò zhǎn dào qí tā kūn。
I continued studying moths, and branched out to other insects.
2
蜜蜂之间所用的交流方式是昆虫中最为复杂的方式之一。
mì fēng zhī jiān suǒ yòng de jiāo liú fāng shì shì kūn chóng zhōng zuì wéi fù zá de fāng shì zhī yī。
Honeybees use one of the most sophisticated communication systems of any insect.
3
昆虫很讨厌皮肤内维生素的气味。
kūn chóng hěn tǎo yàn pí fū nèi wéi shēng sù de qì wèi。
The odour of vitamin in skin is repugnant to insects.
