(kǔn) — (verb) to tie together, to bundle up; (noun) a bundle, a bunch; (classifier) bundle, bunch (for items tied together)

Definition

Both verb ('to tie up / bundle') and measure word for things tied together. Classifier siblings differ by shape: 束 for flat bunches or light beams, 串 for things strung on a line; 把 is for handled objects or loose handfuls, not tied bundles.

verb
to tie togetherto bundle up
noun
a bundlea bunch
classifier
bundlebunch (for items tied together)
Measure word ·

Examples

  • Tā bǎ jiù zá zhì kǔn qǐ lái mài diào le.
    He bundled up the old magazines and sold them.
  • Tā ná zhe yì kǔn bào zhǐ zǒu jìn bàn gōng shì.
    He walked into the office holding a bundle of newspapers.
  • Zhè kǔn shū shì tú shū guǎn de, bù néng dài zǒu.
    This bundle of books belongs to the library — you can't take them away.

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
Written in full asshǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
kùnkǔn(r)
Same sound today

捆 pairs 扌 (hand) with 困. The 扌 part points to an action done with the hand, while 困 gives the sound.

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