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March 24, 2026
冻(凍)dòng(dong4)
The character 冻 (dòng) primarily means 'to freeze' or 'to congeal.' It conveys the state of being extremely cold or the process of something becoming solid due to low temperatures. This character is commonly used in contexts related to weather, food preservation, and physical sensations of coldness.
Strokes7Radical冫Frequency#4572DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, cold weather and food preservation techniques are significant, particularly in winter months when dishes like 冻豆腐 (dòng dòufu, frozen tofu) are common. This character also highlights the importance of temperature in cooking and food safety.
Memory Tip
Imagine a big ice block that 'dongs' when it hits the ground. The character 冻 is composed of the radical 冷 (lěng), meaning cold, on top of the character for ice (冰, bīng) underneath, visually representing the concept of freezing. Think of 'dong' as the sound of ice cracking in the cold.
Meanings of 冻
dòng(dong4)
1to freeze
2to feel very cold
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 冻
冻Simplified
凍Traditional
7Strokes
冫Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4572Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 冻
Podcast: 冻
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AI Study Notes for 冻
Quick Contrast
冻 (dòng) vs 冷 (lěng) — use 冻 when referring specifically to the process of freezing, while 冷 describes a general state of coldness.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context in which you use 冻; it is often used in descriptions of weather or food, which can sometimes confuse learners. For instance, saying '我觉得冻' (Wǒ juéde dòng) sounds awkward; instead, use '我觉得冷' (Wǒ juéde lěng) to express feeling cold. This word is more formal and should be used in contexts discussing freezing conditions.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 冻 connects with other vocabulary related to weather and temperature, like 热 (rè, hot) and 冷 (lěng, cold). Focus on using it correctly in sentences about weather or food, and practice distinguishing it from similar terms.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 冻 with 冷, mistakenly saying '我冻' (Wǒ dòng) to express feeling cold, which is incorrect. The correct phrase would be '我冷' (Wǒ lěng). Another mistake is using 冻 in informal contexts where 冷 would be more appropriate.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 冻
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Phonosemantic compound. 冫 represents the meaning and 东 represents the sound. Simplified form of 凍.
1The meaning half冫 carries the sense.
2The sound half东 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayice
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 冻? 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 冻?
Decomposition of 冻
IDS Structure⿰冫东
冻Full Character
=
冫bing1
left
东Dong1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 冻?
How to say to freeze in Chinese
“to freeze” in Chinese is冻dòng
The character 冻 (dòng) primarily means 'to freeze' or 'to congeal.' It conveys the state of being extremely cold or the process of something becoming solid due to low temperatures. This character is commonly used in contexts related to weather, food preservation, and physical sensations of coldness.
When to use 冻
Be mindful of the context in which you use 冻; it is often used in descriptions of weather or food, which can sometimes confuse learners. For instance, saying '我觉得冻' (Wǒ juéde dòng) sounds awkward; instead, use '我觉得冷' (Wǒ juéde lěng) to express feeling cold. This word is more formal and should be used in contexts discussing freezing conditions.
冻 or something close to it
冻 (dòng) vs 冷 (lěng) — use 冻 when referring specifically to the process of freezing, while 冷 describes a general state of coldness.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 冻 with 冷, mistakenly saying '我冻' (Wǒ dòng) to express feeling cold, which is incorrect. The correct phrase would be '我冷' (Wǒ lěng). Another mistake is using 冻 in informal contexts where 冷 would be more appropriate.
Write 冻
冻
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Grammar Patterns of 冻
冻 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 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.
In Western cultures, freezing is often associated with the preservation of food, while in China, it can also refer to a traditional method of preparing dishes that enhances flavor and texture as seen in 冻豆腐.
