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March 24, 2026
钝(鈍)dùn(dun4)
The character 钝 (dùn) primarily means 'blunt' or 'dull,' often in reference to objects like knives or pencils. It can also describe someone as 'stupid' or 'dim-witted,' indicating a lack of sharpness in intellect. This word is commonly used in both everyday conversations and written contexts when discussing physical attributes or cognitive abilities.
Strokes9Radical钅Frequency#8877DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being called 钝 (dùn) can be quite pejorative, especially in academic or professional settings, reflecting the value placed on intelligence and sharpness of thought. This reflects broader societal attitudes towards education and capability.
Memory Tip
Imagine a dull knife that can't cut through anything—this knife symbolizes the meaning of 钝 (dùn). The radical 钅 (metal) suggests that it's related to tools, and 'dùn' sounds like 'dun' which can remind you of something that is 'dumb' or 'blunt' in intelligence.
Meanings of 钝
dùn(dun4)
1blunt
2stupid
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 钝
钝Simplified
鈍Traditional
9Strokes
钅Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#8877Frequency Rank
Podcast: 钝
Podcast: 钝
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
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AI Study Notes for 钝
Quick Contrast
钝 (dùn) vs 钢 (gāng) — choose 钝 when describing something that is not sharp, while 钢 refers specifically to a material that is typically sharp or strong.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 钝 with similar-sounding words like 敦 (dūn), which means 'kind' or 'gentle.' This character is more informal when referring to someone's intelligence, so use it with caution in formal settings. Common collocations include 钝器 (dùnqì - blunt instrument) and 钝感 (dùngǎn - dull sensation).
HSK Study Tips
While 钝 is not in the official HSK vocabulary lists, it may relate to words like 锋利 (fēnglì - sharp) in the same level of study. Focus on the nuances of describing objects and people, as understanding these distinctions will enhance your vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 钝 with 聪明 (cōngmíng), which means smart, leading to incorrect sentences like '他很钝' (tā hěn dùn - he is sharp). The correct way to express someone being smart is '他很聪明' (tā hěn cōngmíng).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 钝
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Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 屯 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鈍.
1The meaning half钅 carries the sense.
2The sound half屯 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaymetal
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 钝? 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 钝?
Decomposition of 钝
IDS Structure⿰钅屯
钝Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
屯tun2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 钝?
How to say blunt in Chinese
“blunt” in Chinese is钝dùn
The character 钝 (dùn) primarily means 'blunt' or 'dull,' often in reference to objects like knives or pencils. It can also describe someone as 'stupid' or 'dim-witted,' indicating a lack of sharpness in intellect. This word is commonly used in both everyday conversations and written contexts when discussing physical attributes or cognitive abilities.
When to use 钝
Be careful not to confuse 钝 with similar-sounding words like 敦 (dūn), which means 'kind' or 'gentle.' This character is more informal when referring to someone's intelligence, so use it with caution in formal settings. Common collocations include 钝器 (dùnqì - blunt instrument) and 钝感 (dùngǎn - dull sensation).
钝 or something close to it
钝 (dùn) vs 钢 (gāng) — choose 钝 when describing something that is not sharp, while 钢 refers specifically to a material that is typically sharp or strong.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 钝 with 聪明 (cōngmíng), which means smart, leading to incorrect sentences like '他很钝' (tā hěn dùn - he is sharp). The correct way to express someone being smart is '他很聪明' (tā hěn cōngmíng).
Write 钝
钝
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Practice writing 钝 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 钝
钝 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
不睡觉的话，工作起来会变得反应迟____。
Without sleep you will become a zombie at work.
Example Sentences for 钝 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
不睡觉的话，工作起来会变得反应迟钝。
bù shuì jué de huà， ， gōng zuò qǐ lái huì biàn dé fǎn yīng chí。
Without sleep you will become a zombie at work.
2
人群毫无热情的迟钝反应使我感到很沮丧。
rén qún háo wú rè qíng de chí dùn fǎn yīng shǐ wǒ gǎn dào hěn jǔ sāng。
I'm depressed by the bovine enthusiasm of the crowd's response.
