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
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.
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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Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 屯 represents the sound. Simplified form of 噸.
1The meaning half口 carries the sense.
2The sound half屯 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaymouth
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
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Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 吨?
Decomposition of 吨
IDS Structure⿰口屯
吨Full Character
=
口kou3
left
屯tun2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 吨?
How to say ton (loanword) in Chinese
“ton (loanword)” in Chinese is吨dūn
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.
When to use 吨
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.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 吨
吨
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Practice writing 吨 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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.
