奠 meaning and stroke order
To found, to settle; to pay respects; a libation for the dead
How to write 奠, stroke by stroke
12 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 奠
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to fix
- to settle
- a libation to the dead
How 奠 is built
Ideographic (compound meaning) character. A man 大 lifting up an offering of wine 酋.
Radical: 大 (big), shared by 46 characters on this site.
How to remember 奠
Picture a person 大 standing under a jar of wine 酋, lifting it up as an offering. Setting the wine down firmly before the dead gives both meanings: to pay respects and to settle something in place.
奠 rarely appears alone in modern Chinese. It lives in words like 奠定 (diàndìng, to lay or establish) and 祭奠 (jìdiàn, to hold a memorial). Example: 这次比赛奠定了他的地位。(Zhè cì bǐsài diàndìngle tā de dìwèi.) This competition established his position.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 奠 with 尊 (zūn, to respect), which has the same 酋 on top but 寸 at the bottom instead of 大. Also remember the fourth tone, diàn, not the first-tone diān.
Common words with 奠
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
Characters that contain 奠
Learning 奠 makes these easier to recognize and write.
Questions about 奠
How many strokes are in 奠?
奠 is written with 12 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 奠 mean?
奠 (diàn) means to found, to settle; to pay respects; a libation for the dead. A common word with it is 奠定 (diàndìng), meaning "to establish; to fix".
How do you pronounce 奠?
奠 is pronounced diàn, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 奠?
The radical of 奠 is 大, which carries the idea of "big". Dictionaries list 奠 under this radical.
Is 奠 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 奠 is part of the HSK 7-9 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard.
What does 奠基 mean?
奠基 (diànjī) means to lay a foundation, often literally at a groundbreaking ceremony. You may see 奠基仪式 (diànjī yíshì), a foundation stone ceremony.
Why is 奠 written on funeral wreaths and banners?
At Chinese funerals, a large 奠 is often displayed to mean offering respects to the dead. It works like a sign saying this is a memorial for the deceased.