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March 24, 2026
顿时(頓時)dùnshí(dun4shi2)
顿时 (dùn shí) means 'immediately' or 'suddenly.' It is often used to describe a quick change in situation or emotion. This term conveys a sense of immediacy and can be used in both spoken and written contexts to indicate an abrupt occurrence.
Strokes17Frequency#24189DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of sudden change is significant in Chinese storytelling, often reflecting the idea of fate or unexpected twists. This mirrors themes in traditional Chinese literature where characters face abrupt shifts in fortune.
Memory Tip
Think of the character 顿 (dùn) as a 'thud' falling suddenly, and 时 (shí) as 'time'. Together, they symbolize something happening 'in an instant' — a thud that resonates through time, marking a sudden event.
Meanings of 顿时
dùnshí(dun4shi2)
1immediately
2suddenly
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 顿时
顿时Simplified
頓時Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#24189Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 顿时
Podcast: 顿时
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AI Study Notes for 顿时
Quick Contrast
瞬间 (shùnjiān) - use 顿时 when emphasizing an immediate change in situation or emotion, while 瞬间 focuses more on the brief duration of time.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 顿时 with other adverbs like '马上' (mǎ shàng) which means 'right away' but can imply more planning. 顿时 is more abrupt. It's generally informal and can be used in both spoken and written Chinese.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, it connects with other adverbs of time and manner. Focus on using it in sentences that describe actions or feelings that change quickly, such as '他顿时高兴了' (He suddenly became happy).
Common Mistakes
Learners might mistakenly use 顿时 in place of '立即' (lì jí), which means 'immediately' but does not carry the same sudden connotation. For example, saying '他立即笑了' (He immediately laughed) instead of '他顿时笑了' misses the nuance of suddenness.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 顿时
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顿时 (dùn shí) means 'immediately' or 'suddenly.' It is often used to describe a quick change in situation or emotion. This term conveys a sense of immediacy and can be used in both spoken and written contexts to indicate an abrupt occurrence.
When to use 顿时
Learners often confuse 顿时 with other adverbs like '马上' (mǎ shàng) which means 'right away' but can imply more planning. 顿时 is more abrupt. It's generally informal and can be used in both spoken and written Chinese.
顿时 or something close to it
瞬间 (shùnjiān) - use 顿时 when emphasizing an immediate change in situation or emotion, while 瞬间 focuses more on the brief duration of time.
What learners get wrong
Learners might mistakenly use 顿时 in place of '立即' (lì jí), which means 'immediately' but does not carry the same sudden connotation. For example, saying '他立即笑了' (He immediately laughed) instead of '他顿时笑了' misses the nuance of suddenness.
Write 顿时
顿
时
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Grammar Patterns of 顿时
顿时 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 2 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
听到这番话，欣兰感到他内心的疑虑____消散了。
When he heard these words, Shinran felt his inner doubts melt away.
Example Sentences for 顿时 (10)
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1
听到这番话，欣兰感到他内心的疑虑顿时消散了。
tīng dào zhè fān huà， ， xīn lán gǎn dào tā nèi xīn de yí lǜ dùn shí xiāo sàn。
When he heard these words, Shinran felt his inner doubts melt away.
2
他一看到夏普浸满鲜血的制服，脸色顿时变得煞白。
tā yī kàn dào xià pǔ jìn mǎn xiān xiě de zhì fú， ， liǎn sè dùn shí biàn dé shā。
His face blanched as he looked at Sharpe's blood-drenched uniform.
3
当他们判定我们有罪时，我的脑子顿时一片空白。
dāng tā mén pàn dìng wǒ mén yǒu zuì shí， ， wǒ de nǎo zǐ dùn shí yī piàn kōng。
When they found us guilty, I just went blank.
4
他们叫嚷着冲到大街上，大街上顿时乱作一团。
tā mén jiào rǎng zháo chōng dào dà jiē shàng， ， dà jiē shàng dùn shí luàn zuò yī。
Pandemonium broke out as they ran into the street shouting.
