(dūn) — (classifier) for mounds, clumps, or blocks of earth, stone, wood, etc.

Definition

Classifier for a heap or solid lump of material such as earth, stone, or wood. Used for bulky, roughly-shaped piles, not flat or slender objects.

classifier
for moundsclumpsor blocks of earthstonewoodetc.

Examples

  • Mén qián yǒu yì dūn tǔ.
    There is a mound of earth in front of the door.
  • Gōng rén bān lái liǎng dūn shí tou.
    The workers moved two blocks of stone.
  • Tā bān le yì dūn mù tou dào yuàn zi lǐ.
    He carried a block of wood into the yard.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
soil
Sound part声符shēngfú
dūndūn
Same sound today

墩 pairs 土 (soil) with 敦, which gives the sound dūn.

Appears in

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