HSK 5, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 口, rank #7280, Hard
dūn(dun1) T1
1ton (loanword)
2Taiwan pr. [dùn]
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March 24, 2026
吨(噸)dūn(dun1)
吨 (dūn) refers to a metric ton, a unit of weight equal to 1,000 kilograms. This term is commonly used in contexts related to shipping, industry, and trade when measuring large quantities of goods. In Taiwan, it is pronounced as [dùn], which may lead to confusion among learners.
Strokes7Radical口Frequency#7280DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In China, precise measurement is crucial in industries like manufacturing and logistics, where the ton is a standard unit used in contracts and trade agreements. This illustrates the emphasis on efficiency and accuracy in Chinese commerce.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant ton of dumplings (吨 - dūn) piled high in a restaurant. The character 吨 has the radical for 'to eat' (吃) within, reminding you of food quantities. Picture yourself trying to lift that ton of dumplings, making it easier to remember the word and its pronunciation.
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AI Study Notes for 吨
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant ton of dumplings (吨 - dūn) piled high in a restaurant. The character 吨 has the radical for 'to eat' (吃) within, reminding you of food quantities. Picture yourself trying to lift that ton of dumplings, making it easier to remember the word and its pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the pronunciation, as it can differ between regions (dūn vs. dùn). Common collocations include '货物吨数' (the weight of goods in tons) and '吨位' (tonnage). Avoid using it in informal contexts where simpler units like '公斤' (kilogram) may be more appropriate.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 5, students should focus on understanding measurements and units of weight. This word connects with other HSK 5 vocabulary related to commerce and industry, such as '公斤' (kilogram) and '磅' (pound), enhancing comprehension in practical scenarios.
Cultural Note
In China, precise measurement is crucial in industries like manufacturing and logistics, where the ton is a standard unit used in contracts and trade agreements. This illustrates the emphasis on efficiency and accuracy in Chinese commerce.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 吨 with 公斤, mistakenly using 吨 when they mean kilograms, saying '我有五吨的水果' instead of '我有五公斤的水果' (I have five kilograms of fruit). Remember, 吨 is for larger quantities.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 吨
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Grammar Patterns of 吨
吨 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 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.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
他们有2,500____纸存放在仓库里。
They have 2,500 tons of paper stored in their depository.
Laborers were trained to handle 50 - ton compactors and giant cranes.
6
大约需要十八万公吨的食品援助。
dà yuē xū yào shí bā wàn gōng dūn de shí pǐn yuán zhù。
Around 180,000 metric tons of food aid is required.
7
日平均产量为一千三百七十吨矿砂.
rì píng jūn chǎn liáng wéi yī qiān sān bǎi qī shí dūn kuàng shā.
The average daily throughput was 1 , 370 tons of ore.
8
他已经储备了近1吨马铃薯。
tā yǐ jīng chǔ bèi le jìn1 1 dūn mǎ líng。
He'sstored away nearly one ton of potatoes.
9
数百吨石油溢出流入大海。
shù bǎi dūn shí yóu yì chū liú rù dà hǎi。
Hundreds of tons of oil spilled into the sea.
10
需要30万吨谷类补充库存。
xū yào30 30 wàn dūn gǔ lèi bǔ chōng kù。
Three hundred thousand tons of cereals are needed to replenish stocks.
Cultural Notes for 吨
🏮Cultural insight
In China, precise measurement is crucial in industries like manufacturing and logistics, where the ton is a standard unit used in contracts and trade agreements. This illustrates the emphasis on efficiency and accuracy in Chinese commerce.
Word Family of 吨
Words Containing This Character5
吨dūnton (loanword)噸
吨位tonnage噸位
公吨ton公噸
吨公里ton-kilometer (unit of capacity of transport system)噸公里
总吨位overall tonnage (of a shipping fleet or company)總噸位
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 吨 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 吨
It is pronounced as dūn in mainland China, but in Taiwan, it is pronounced as dùn.
It's more commonly used in formal contexts, particularly in industries related to shipping and trade.
吨 refers to a metric ton (1,000 kg), while 公斤 refers to a kilogram (1 kg), which is a smaller unit of measure.
