Meanings of 遁
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About 遁
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Podcast: 遁
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AI Study Notes for 遁
逃 (táo, to escape) — use 遁 when emphasizing concealment or evasion, whereas 逃 focuses on the act of fleeing.
Avoid confusing 遁 with similar-sounding words that have different meanings, such as 盾 (dùn), which means 'shield.' This character is more formal and often appears in literary or historical contexts, such as in ancient texts about military strategy.
Although 遁 is not an HSK level word, it connects with other verbs of movement or action found in the HSK vocabulary, such as 走 (zǒu, to walk) and 跑 (pǎo, to run). Focus on using it in phrases that express movement away from something or someone.
Learners often confuse 遁 with 逃 (táo), which also means 'to escape' but is more commonly used in everyday contexts. Remember that 遁 has a more formal and literary tone, while 逃 is more casual.
Pronunciation of 遁
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Etymology of 遁
To escape 辶 to shelter 盾; 盾 also provides the pronunciation
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 遁
- 1The giveawayTo escape 辶 to shelter 盾; 盾 also provides the pronunciation
- 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 遁? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 遁?
Decomposition of 遁
Identify the Components
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How to say to flee, to escape; to hide, to conceal oneself in Chinese
“to flee, to escape; to hide, to conceal oneself” in Chinese is遁
The character 遁 (dùn) primarily means to flee or escape, often used in contexts where someone is avoiding capture or evading a situation. It can also imply hiding or concealing oneself from others, making it relevant in both literal and metaphorical discussions about evasion or secrecy.
When to use 遁
Avoid confusing 遁 with similar-sounding words that have different meanings, such as 盾 (dùn), which means 'shield.' This character is more formal and often appears in literary or historical contexts, such as in ancient texts about military strategy.
遁 or something close to it
逃 (táo, to escape) — use 遁 when emphasizing concealment or evasion, whereas 逃 focuses on the act of fleeing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 遁 with 逃 (táo), which also means 'to escape' but is more commonly used in everyday contexts. Remember that 遁 has a more formal and literary tone, while 逃 is more casual.
Write 遁
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Practice writing 遁 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 遁
遁 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 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.
Complete the Sentence
这句问话是一种穷急智生的狡猾的____辞词.
The question was a quick, shrewd parry.
Example Sentences for 遁 (1)
Word Family of 遁
Compound Meaning
What does 遁 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 遁
You can use 遁 when discussing escape plans, evasion tactics, or even in metaphorical language about avoiding responsibilities.
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