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点 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
点diǎnpointHSK 1, m, 9 strokes, radical 灬, rank #58, Easy
点diǎndotHSK 1, m, 9 strokes, radical 灬, rank #58, Easy
点diǎndropHSK 1, m, 9 strokes, radical 灬, rank #58, Easy
点diǎnspeckHSK 1, m, 9 strokes, radical 灬, rank #58, Easy
点diǎno'clockHSK 1, m, 9 strokes, radical 灬, rank #58, Easy
点diǎnpoint (in space or time)HSK 1, m, 9 strokes, radical 灬, rank #58, Easy
点diǎnto draw a dotHSK 1, m, 9 strokes, radical 灬, rank #58, Easy
点diǎnto check on a listHSK 1, m, 9 strokes, radical 灬, rank #58, Easy
点diǎnto chooseHSK 1, m, 9 strokes, radical 灬, rank #58, Easy
点diǎnto order (food in a restaurant)HSK 1, m, 9 strokes, radical 灬, rank #58, Easy
点diǎnto touch brieflyHSK 1, m, 9 strokes, radical 灬, rank #58, Easy
点diǎnto hintHSK 1, m, 9 strokes, radical 灬, rank #58, Easy
点diǎnto lightHSK 1, m, 9 strokes, radical 灬, rank #58, Easy
点diǎnto igniteHSK 1, m, 9 strokes, radical 灬, rank #58, Easy
点diǎnto pour a liquid drop by dropHSK 1, m, 9 strokes, radical 灬, rank #58, Easy
点diǎn(old) one fifth of a two-hour watch 更[gēng]HSK 1, m, 9 strokes, radical 灬, rank #58, Easy
点diǎndot stroke in Chinese charactersHSK 1, m, 9 strokes, radical 灬, rank #58, Easy
点diǎnclassifier for itemsHSK 1, m, 9 strokes, radical 灬, rank #58, Easy
点diǎn(old) one fifth of a two-hour watch 更[geng1]HSK 1, unknown, 9 strokes, radical 灬, rank #58, Easy
diǎn(dian3) T3
  1. 1point
  2. 2dot
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

点(點)diǎn(dian3)

The character 点 (diǎn) primarily means 'point' or 'dot', and is commonly used in various contexts such as telling time, ordering food, or indicating a small amount. It can also refer to the action of checking off items on a list or touching something briefly. Its versatility makes it a fundamental term in daily conversation and written communication.

Strokes9Radical灬Frequency#58DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 点 is significant when it comes to dining, as ordering food (点菜) is a common practice in social gatherings. It's also important in traditional Chinese calligraphy, where 点 can refer to the dot stroke used in writing characters.

Memory Tip

Imagine a bright star in the night sky, which looks like a dot or point of light. The character 点 resembles a small dot with a stroke above it, reminding you of the star's twinkling. Think of '点' as the 'point' you focus on when telling time or making a choice.

Meanings of 点

diǎn(dian3)
1point
2dot
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 点

点Simplified
點Traditional
9Strokes
灬Radical
数词shùcímnqv (num.)Part of Speech
#58Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1BCT✓CEFRA1

Podcast: 点

JasonAmy

Podcast: 点

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 点

Quick Contrast

小点 (xiǎodiǎn) vs 点心 (diǎnxīn) — use 点 for a general point or dot, while 小点 refers specifically to a small point, and 点心 refers to a type of snack.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 点 with similar characters that imply different meanings, such as 线 (xiàn) for 'line'. It's typically used in both formal and informal contexts, but remember to use the correct tone (third tone) to avoid misunderstandings. Common collocations include 点菜 (diǎn cài, to order food) and 点时间 (diǎn shíjiān, to tell the time).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 1 word, 点 connects well with other basic vocabulary related to time and actions, such as 现在 (xiànzài, now) and 吗 (ma, question particle). Focus on practicing its pronunciation and using it in simple sentences to reinforce your understanding.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is using the wrong tone, such as saying 'diàn' instead of 'diǎn', which changes the meaning entirely. Another error is confusing 点 with 线 (xiàn), which means 'line' instead of 'point'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 点

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Etymology of 点

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 點.

Memory Hint

fire

Semantic (meaning)灬
+
Phonetic (sound)占
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 点

Simplified form of 點.

  1. 1The meaning half灬 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half占 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayfire
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 点? 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 点?

Decomposition of 点

IDS Structure⿱占灬
点Full Character
=
占zhan1
top
灬huo3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 点?

How to say point in Chinese

“point” in Chinese is点diǎn

The character 点 (diǎn) primarily means 'point' or 'dot', and is commonly used in various contexts such as telling time, ordering food, or indicating a small amount. It can also refer to the action of checking off items on a list or touching something briefly. Its versatility makes it a fundamental term in daily conversation and written communication.

When to use 点

Learners often confuse 点 with similar characters that imply different meanings, such as 线 (xiàn) for 'line'. It's typically used in both formal and informal contexts, but remember to use the correct tone (third tone) to avoid misunderstandings. Common collocations include 点菜 (diǎn cài, to order food) and 点时间 (diǎn shíjiān, to tell the time).

点 or something close to it

小点 (xiǎodiǎn) vs 点心 (diǎnxīn) — use 点 for a general point or dot, while 小点 refers specifically to a small point, and 点心 refers to a type of snack.

What learners get wrong

A common mistake is using the wrong tone, such as saying 'diàn' instead of 'diǎn', which changes the meaning entirely. Another error is confusing 点 with 线 (xiàn), which means 'line' instead of 'point'.

Write 点

点

Practice writing 点 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 点

点 functions as a number. It almost always combines with a measure word before a noun (三个人, 五本书). Standalone numbers are rare outside of math or counting. It carries 19 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.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

现在五____半。

It's 5:30 right now.

Example Sentences for 点 (22)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
如果我对此不做点儿什么，就是不负责任。

rú guǒ wǒ duì cǐ bù zuò diǎn ér shí mó， ， jiù shì bù fù zé。

I would be remiss if I did not do some-thing about it.
2
我一直坚持用新鲜水果做甜点。

wǒ yī zhí jiān chí yòng xīn xiān shuǐ guǒ zuò tián diǎn。

I tend to stick to fresh fruit for pudding.
3
现在让我来将我的论点串起来。

xiàn zài ràng wǒ lái jiāng wǒ de lùn diǎn chuàn qǐ lái。

Let me now pull together the threads of my argument.
4
我认为长期伏案的生活一点也不适合我。

wǒ rèn wéi cháng qī fú àn de shēng huó yī diǎn yě bù shì hé wǒ。

I don't think a sedentary life would altogether suit me.
5
成功不是终点，失败也并非末日，最重要的是继续前进的勇气。

chéng gōng bù shì zhōng diǎn， ， shī bài yě bìng fēi mò， rì ， zuì zhòng yào de shì jì xù qián jìn de。

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.--Winston Churchill
6
今晚我做完的时候刚过7点。

jīn wǎn wǒ zuò wán de shí hòu gāng guò7 7。

It was just gone 7 o'clock this evening when I finished.
7
毫无疑问，他们身上也有人所共有的弱点。

háo wú yí wèn， ， tā mén shēn shàng yě yǒu rén suǒ gòng yǒu de ruò。

They have the usual quota of human weaknesses, no doubt.
8
“史蒂夫，你要喝点什么？”——“可口可乐，百事，随便啦。”

“ “ shǐ dì， fū ， nǐ yào hē diǎn？”——“ shí mó ？”——“ kě， kǒu kě， lè ， bǎi。”

"Steve, what do you want?" — "Coke, Pepsi, it doesn't matter."
9
你也应该让本地议员了解你的观点。

nǐ yě yīng gāi ràng běn dì yì yuán le jiě nǐ de guān diǎn。

You should also make your views known to your local MP.
10
快点儿，奥斯蒙德，你闲站着干什么。

kuài diǎn ér， ， ào sī mēng， dé ， nǐ xián zhàn zháo gān。

Come along, Osmond. No sense in your standing around.
11
请你在地图上指出那个点。

Qǐng nǐ zài dìtú shàng zhǐchū nàge diǎn.

Please point to that spot on the map.
12
他在白板上画了一个点。

Tā zài báibǎn shàng huàle yí gè diǎn.

He drew a point on the whiteboard.
13
小猫在纸上留了一个点。

Xiǎo māo zài zhǐ shàng liúle yí gè diǎn.

The kitten left a point on the paper.
14
我需要在这里加一个点。

Wǒ xūyào zài zhèlǐ jiā yí gè diǎn.

I need to add a point here.
15
老师在地图上用笔标了一个红点。

Lǎoshī zài dìtú shàng yòng bǐ biāo le yī gè hóng diǎn.

The teacher marked a red point on the map with a pen.
16
请你在纸上画一个点。

Qǐng nǐ zài zhǐ shàng huà yī gè diǎn.

Please draw a point on the paper.
17
请你在地图上指出那个点。

Qǐng nǐ zài dìtú shàng zhǐchū nàge diǎn.

Please point to that spot on the map.
18
他在白板上画了一个点。

Tā zài báibǎn shàng huàle yí gè diǎn.

He drew a point on the whiteboard.
19
小猫在纸上留了一个点。

Xiǎo māo zài zhǐ shàng liúle yí gè diǎn.

The kitten left a point on the paper.
20
我需要在这里加一个点。

Wǒ xūyào zài zhèlǐ jiā yí gè diǎn.

I need to add a point here.
21
老师在地图上用笔标了一个红点。

Lǎoshī zài dìtú shàng yòng bǐ biāo le yī gè hóng diǎn.

The teacher marked a red point on the map with a pen.
22
请你在纸上画一个点。

Qǐng nǐ zài zhǐ shàng huà yī gè diǎn.

Please draw a point on the paper.

Word Family of 点

Words Containing This Character20
点diǎnpoint點
有点a little有點
重点chóngdiǎnfocus重點
一点a bit一點
特点tèdiǎntrait特點
观点guāndiǎnpoint of view觀點
地点dìdiǎnplace地點
差点almost差點
点儿point點兒
试点shìdiǎntest point試點
点头diǎntóuto nod點頭
焦点jiāodiǎnfocus焦點
热点rèdiǎnhot spot熱點
百分点bǎifēndiǎnpercentage point百分點
快点Hurry up!快點
缺点quēdiǎnfault缺點
早点breakfast早點
优点yōudiǎnmerit優點
起点qǐdiǎnstarting point起點
网点wǎngdiǎnbranch網點
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 点 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 点

You can use 点 followed by a number to indicate the time, such as 现在是三点 (xiànzài shì sān diǎn), meaning 'It is three o'clock now.'

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