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March 24, 2026
颠(顛)diān(dian1)
The character 颠 (diān) primarily means 'to overturn' or 'to fall forwards,' often used in contexts involving motion or disturbance, such as in 'to jolt' or 'to upset.' It can also refer to the top or apex of something, particularly in more abstract or figurative uses.
Strokes16Radical页Frequency#9612DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the idea of 'upside down' or 'overturning' can be associated with change or disruption, often seen in proverbs that discuss the transient nature of life and fortune.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person standing on their head (the top of their head is the '颠'), and then they suddenly jolt forward, causing everything around them to spill. The character's radical '音' (yīn) suggests sound, like a loud thud when they fall, helping you remember both the pronunciation and meaning.
Meanings of 颠
diān(dian1)
1top (of the head)
2apex
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 颠 means.
About 颠
颠Simplified
顛Traditional
16Strokes
页Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#9612Frequency Rank
Podcast: 颠
Podcast: 颠
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AI Study Notes for 颠
Quick Contrast
翻 (fān, to flip) — use 颠 (diān) when emphasizing a forward motion or disturbance, while 翻 (fān) focuses more on a horizontal or rotational movement.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone, as 'diān' is pronounced with a high level tone (first tone), which can be confused with similar sounding words. This character is often used in more informal contexts, especially in phrases related to physical movement or disturbances.
HSK Study Tips
While 颠 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, learners at higher levels might encounter it in literary contexts or discussions about physical states. Students should focus on recognizing its usage in phrases or idioms related to movement or upheaval.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 颠 (diān) with 颠倒 (diāndǎo), using them interchangeably. Remember that 颠 focuses more on the action of falling or jostling, while 颠倒 emphasizes the state of being upside down.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 颠
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How Well Do You Know 颠?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 颠 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.
颠 = 页 + 真. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 颠
IDS Structure⿰真页
颠Full Character
=
真zhen1
left
页ye4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 颠?
How to say top (of the head) in Chinese
“top (of the head)” in Chinese is颠diān
The character 颠 (diān) primarily means 'to overturn' or 'to fall forwards,' often used in contexts involving motion or disturbance, such as in 'to jolt' or 'to upset.' It can also refer to the top or apex of something, particularly in more abstract or figurative uses.
When to use 颠
Be cautious with the tone, as 'diān' is pronounced with a high level tone (first tone), which can be confused with similar sounding words. This character is often used in more informal contexts, especially in phrases related to physical movement or disturbances.
颠 or something close to it
翻 (fān, to flip) — use 颠 (diān) when emphasizing a forward motion or disturbance, while 翻 (fān) focuses more on a horizontal or rotational movement.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 颠 (diān) with 颠倒 (diāndǎo), using them interchangeably. Remember that 颠 focuses more on the action of falling or jostling, while 颠倒 emphasizes the state of being upside down.
Write 颠
颠
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Practice writing 颠 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 颠
颠 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 6 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.
战争____倒是非：杀戮与残忍成了美德。
War turns morality inside out: killing and cruelty are virtues.
