(dùn) — (classifier) for meals; (classifier) for beatings, scoldings, or other actions considered as a bout; (verb) to pause; to stop briefly

Definition

As a classifier, 顿 is paired with meals (一顿饭) and bouts of punishment/scolding. As a verb, it means a brief pause; 停顿 is a more formal synonym for halting or breaking off in speech.

classifier
for mealsfor beatingsscoldingsor other actions considered as a bout
verb
to pauseto stop briefly

Examples

  • Wǒ měi tiān chī sān dùn fàn.
    I eat three meals every day.
  • Tā zuó tiān bèi lǎo shī mà le yí dùn.
    He was scolded by the teacher yesterday.
  • Tā dùn le yí xià, rán hòu jì xù shuō.
    He paused for a moment, then continued speaking.

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