困 meaning and stroke order
To trap; to surround; hard-pressed
How to write 困, stroke by stroke
7 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Meaning of 困
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to trap
- to surround
- hard-pressed
- stranded
- destitute
- sleepy
How 困 is built
Ideographic (compound meaning) character. A fence 囗 built around a tree 木.
Radical: 囗 (enclosure), shared by 39 characters on this site.
How to remember 困
困 shows a tree 木 boxed in by a fence 囗. A tree that cannot grow out is trapped and stuck, and if you feel boxed in all day you end up tired and sleepy too.
困 appears in many words about hardship, such as 困难 (kùnnan, difficult) and 贫困 (pínkùn, poverty). On its own in everyday speech it often means sleepy. Example: 我好困，想睡觉。(Wǒ hǎo kùn, xiǎng shuìjiào.) I'm so sleepy, I want to go to bed.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 困 with 因 (yīn, because), which has 大 inside the box instead of 木. Also, 困 means sleepy, not physically worn out; for general tiredness from effort, 累 (lèi) is more natural.
Common words with 困
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 困难 | kùnnan | difficult; challenging | HSK 3 |
| 困扰 | kùnrǎo | to perplex; to disturb | HSK 5 |
| 贫困 | pínkùn | impoverished; poverty | HSK 6 |
| 困惑 | kùnhuò | bewildered; perplexed | HSK 7-9 |
| 困境 | kùnjìng | predicament; plight | HSK 7-9 |
| 被困 | bèikùn | to be trapped; to be stranded | |
| 受困 | shòukùn | trapped; stranded | |
| 困苦 | kùnkǔ | deprivation; distressed | |
| 围困 | wéikùn | to besiege |
困 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Characters that contain 困
Learning 困 makes these easier to recognize and write.
Questions about 困
How many strokes are in 困?
困 is written with 7 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 困 mean?
困 (kùn) means to trap; to surround; hard-pressed. A common word with it is 困难 (kùnnan), meaning "difficult; challenging".
How do you pronounce 困?
困 is pronounced kùn, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 困?
The radical of 困 is 囗, which carries the idea of "enclosure". Dictionaries list 困 under this radical.
What is the traditional form of 困?
The traditional form of 困 is 睏. Traditional characters are used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; 困 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore.
Is 困 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 困 is part of the HSK 3 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 2.
What is the difference between 困 and 累?
困 (kùn) means you feel sleepy and want to sleep. 累 (lèi) means you are tired or worn out from work or exercise. You can be 累 after running without being 困.
Is the second syllable of 困难 toneless?
Yes, in standard speech 困难 is usually said kùnnan, with 难 in the neutral tone. You will also hear kùnnán, especially in careful or formal speech.