HSK 6, unknown, 19 strokes, radical 足, rank #2702, Hard
dūn(dun1) T1
1to crouch
2to squat
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March 24, 2026
蹲dūn(dun1)
The verb 蹲 (dūn) means to crouch or squat, often referring to the position of bending one's knees and lowering the body close to the ground. It can also imply staying in a place for a period of time, often used in contexts involving waiting or resting in a low position.
Strokes19Radical足Frequency#2702DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, squatting is common in public places, especially in rural areas, where people often prefer to squat rather than sit on benches. This reflects a more casual and communal approach to relaxation.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'dune' in the sand where you crouch down to hide from the sun. The character 蹲 has the foot radical (足) at the bottom, reminding you that it involves a low position where you use your legs to support your weight.
Meanings of 蹲
dūn(dun1)
1to crouch
2to squat
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 蹲
蹲Simplified
19Strokes
足Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2702Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 蹲
Podcast: 蹲
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AI Study Notes for 蹲
Quick Contrast
蹲 (dūn) vs 坐 (zuò) — use 蹲 when emphasizing a low position of the body, while 坐 refers to sitting in a more upright position.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 蹲 with similar verbs like 坐 (zuò, to sit) or 站 (zhàn, to stand), as they refer to different body positions. This word is more informal and is often used in everyday conversation rather than formal writing.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 蹲 connects with other verbs related to body movements and positions. Students should focus on practicing it in context, such as describing activities or positions in daily life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 蹲 with 坐, mistakenly saying '我蹲在椅子上' (Wǒ dūn zài yǐzi shàng) which translates to 'I squat on the chair.' The correct phrase should be '我坐在椅子上' (Wǒ zuò zài yǐzi shàng).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蹲
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Phonosemantic compound. 足 represents the meaning and 尊 represents the sound.
1The meaning half足 carries the sense.
2The sound half尊 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayfoot
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 蹲? 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 蹲?
Decomposition of 蹲
IDS Structure⿰足尊
蹲Full Character
=
足ju4
left
尊zun1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 蹲?
How to say to crouch in Chinese
“to crouch” in Chinese is蹲dūn
The verb 蹲 (dūn) means to crouch or squat, often referring to the position of bending one's knees and lowering the body close to the ground. It can also imply staying in a place for a period of time, often used in contexts involving waiting or resting in a low position.
When to use 蹲
Be careful not to confuse 蹲 with similar verbs like 坐 (zuò, to sit) or 站 (zhàn, to stand), as they refer to different body positions. This word is more informal and is often used in everyday conversation rather than formal writing.
蹲 or something close to it
蹲 (dūn) vs 坐 (zuò) — use 蹲 when emphasizing a low position of the body, while 坐 refers to sitting in a more upright position.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 蹲 with 坐, mistakenly saying '我蹲在椅子上' (Wǒ dūn zài yǐzi shàng) which translates to 'I squat on the chair.' The correct phrase should be '我坐在椅子上' (Wǒ zuò zài yǐzi shàng).
Write 蹲
蹲
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Practice writing 蹲 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 蹲
蹲 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 3 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
Complete the Sentence
他们每个人都俯身贴近地面____伏着前进。
They walked in a crouch, each bent over close to the ground.
Common Confusions with 蹲
蹲vs蹦
bèng
Similar shape but different action (蹲 is to squat, 蹦 is to bounce).
蹲vs蹭
cèng
Similar shape but different meaning.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to crouch"?
or
Usage Notes for 蹲
Mixing up 蹲 and 站Common Error
Learners often confuse 蹲 (to squat) with 站 (to stand). It's important to remember their opposite meanings.
1
我不能一直蹲着。
I can't stay squatting for long.
2
他站着比蹲着高。
He is taller when standing than when squatting.
Exercise 1 of 1
Fill in the Blank
我不能一直____着。
I can't stay squatting for long.
Example Sentences for 蹲 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他们每个人都俯身贴近地面蹲伏着前进。
tā mén měi gè rén dū fǔ shēn tiē jìn dì miàn dūn fú zháo qián jìn。
They walked in a crouch, each bent over close to the ground.
2
那个男人蹲在那辆梅塞德斯车后。
nà gè nán rén dūn zài nà liàng méi sāi dé sī chē hòu。
