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卡通 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
卡通kǎtōngcartoon (loanword)HSK 7, nz, 15 strokes, rank #6974, Very Hard
kǎtōng(ka3tong1) T3
  1. 1cartoon (loanword)
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March 24, 2026

卡通kǎtōng(ka3tong1)

卡通 refers to 'cartoon' in both the animated and comic sense, often used when discussing animated films or television shows, as well as illustrated comic strips. It conveys a sense of entertainment and is commonly used in informal contexts, especially among younger audiences and in media discussions.

Strokes15Frequency#6974DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

Cartoons in China have a rich history, with traditional animation styles like '大闹天宫' (Havoc in Heaven) being iconic. The term 卡通 reflects the influence of Western animation and the globalization of media in modern Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a cartoon character trying to fit through a narrow door (卡) while holding a large cartoon (通) sign. The character's struggles remind you of the fun and creative nature of cartoons, linking the sound 'ka' to 'cartoon' and the meaning of entertainment.

Meanings of 卡通

kǎtōng(ka3tong1)
1cartoon (loanword)
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About 卡通

卡通Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
其它专名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#6974Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

Podcast: 卡通

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Podcast: 卡通

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AI Study Notes for 卡通

Quick Contrast

漫画 (mànhuà) - use 卡通 for animated content, while 漫画 specifically refers to comic strips or graphic novels.

Usage Notes

卡通 is generally informal and often used in conversations about entertainment, particularly among younger speakers. Be cautious with the tone; using the wrong tone could lead to misunderstandings, as '卡' (ka3) and '通' (tong1) have different meanings when pronounced incorrectly.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 卡通 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to media and entertainment. Focus on its usage in different contexts, such as film reviews and discussions about popular culture, to enhance comprehension and speaking skills.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 卡通 with 动画片 (dònghuà piàn), which refers specifically to animated films, while 卡通 can refer to both animated works and comics. An example mistake is saying '我喜欢看动画片' when referring to general cartoons, but the more appropriate term might be '我喜欢看卡通'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 卡通

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Component Characters

卡kǎto block
HSK 35 strokes卜
View full entry
通tōngto go through
HSK 410 strokes辶
View full entry

How to say cartoon (loanword) in Chinese

“cartoon (loanword)” in Chinese is卡通kǎtōng

卡通 refers to 'cartoon' in both the animated and comic sense, often used when discussing animated films or television shows, as well as illustrated comic strips. It conveys a sense of entertainment and is commonly used in informal contexts, especially among younger audiences and in media discussions.

When to use 卡通

卡通 is generally informal and often used in conversations about entertainment, particularly among younger speakers. Be cautious with the tone; using the wrong tone could lead to misunderstandings, as '卡' (ka3) and '通' (tong1) have different meanings when pronounced incorrectly.

卡通 or something close to it

漫画 (mànhuà) - use 卡通 for animated content, while 漫画 specifically refers to comic strips or graphic novels.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 卡通 with 动画片 (dònghuà piàn), which refers specifically to animated films, while 卡通 can refer to both animated works and comics. An example mistake is saying '我喜欢看动画片' when referring to general cartoons, but the more appropriate term might be '我喜欢看卡通'.

Write 卡通

卡
通

Practice writing 卡通 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 卡通

No, 卡通 is primarily used in informal contexts, such as conversations and social media.

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