Meanings of 陨
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 陨
Podcast: 陨
Podcast: 陨
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 陨
陨 (yǔn) vs 坠 (zhuì) — use 陨 for celestial objects or metaphorical death, while 坠 emphasizes a physical falling or dropping.
When using 陨, be careful not to confuse it with similar characters like 殞 (yǔn), which also refers to death but is used in more formal contexts. This character is generally used in literary or formal settings rather than casual conversation.
Although 陨 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to other terms at the advanced level related to celestial phenomena and death. Students should focus on its applications in literature and science to fully grasp its nuances.
Learners may confuse 陨 with similar-sounding characters due to pronunciation or meaning. For example, using 陨 in a casual context instead of a more appropriate term can sound overly formal or literary, which might not suit the conversation.
Pronunciation of 陨
Drill the tone of 陨 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 陨
Phonosemantic compound. 阝 represents the meaning and 员 represents the sound. Simplified form of 隕.
place
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 陨
Phonosemantic compound. 阝 represents the meaning and 员 represents the sound. Simplified form of 隕.
- 1The meaning half阝 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half员 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayplace
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 陨? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 陨?
Decomposition of 陨
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 陨?
How to say to slip, to fall; to drop; to die in Chinese
“to slip, to fall; to drop; to die” in Chinese is陨
The character 陨 (yǔn) primarily means to fall or drop, often in the context of celestial objects like meteors. It can also imply a sense of perishing or dying, emphasizing the finality of such events. This character is commonly used in discussions about astronomy or in literary contexts referring to death.
When to use 陨
When using 陨, be careful not to confuse it with similar characters like 殞 (yǔn), which also refers to death but is used in more formal contexts. This character is generally used in literary or formal settings rather than casual conversation.
陨 or something close to it
陨 (yǔn) vs 坠 (zhuì) — use 陨 for celestial objects or metaphorical death, while 坠 emphasizes a physical falling or dropping.
What learners get wrong
Learners may confuse 陨 with similar-sounding characters due to pronunciation or meaning. For example, using 陨 in a casual context instead of a more appropriate term can sound overly formal or literary, which might not suit the conversation.
Write 陨
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 陨 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 陨
陨 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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.
Complete the Sentence
明亮的流星，或者说____石，是番难忘的景象。
A bright shooting star, or meteor, is an unforgettable sight.
Example Sentences for 陨 (1)
Word Family of 陨
Compound Meaning
What does 陨石 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 陨
While both characters can refer to dying or falling, 陨 is often used for meteors and in literary senses, whereas 殞 is more formal and typically relates to death.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 陨?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.