Meaning
absolutely; decidedly (in negative constructions); break; to judge
Chinese: 断开、判断或绝对。
Hear the Four Tones
The same syllable “duan” becomes a different word in each tone. 断 is the 4th tone. Tap any tone to hear a native voice and see its pitch shape.
Stroke Order
Tap Animate to watch the strokes in order, or Practice to trace it yourself.
Common Words
- 不断bù duànunceasing; uninterrupted; continuous; constant
- 判断pàn duànto judge; to determine; judgment
- 诊断zhěn duànto diagnose
- 打断dǎ duànto interrupt; to break off; to break (a bone)
- 中断zhōng duànto cut short; to break off; to discontinue; to interrupt
Example Sentence
绳子被拉断了。Shéng zi bèi lā duàn le.The rope was pulled apart.
绳子Shéng zicord被bèi(passive: by)拉lāto pull断duànto break了le(completed action)。
Go deeper
Where this character comes from
Simplified from 斷 (米 + 斤, an axe cutting threads). It means ‘to break, snap, cut off; to break off, give up; to judge, decide, conclude; absolutely (断不能)’ (断绝, 判断, 不断).
A way to remember it
To cut threads with an axe (斤) — to break; to judge (判断).