断 meaning and stroke order
To break; to snap; to cut off
How to write 断, stroke by stroke
11 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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- 11
Meaning of 断
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to break
- to snap
- to cut off
- to give up or abstain from sth
- to judge
- (usu. used in the negative) absolutely
How 断 is built
Ideographic (compound meaning) character. Using an axe 斤 to harvest grain 米.
Radical: 斤 (a catty (about 500 grams)), shared by 12 characters on this site.
How to remember 断
On the left is grain 米 (mǐ) in a little enclosure, and on the right is an axe 斤 (jīn). Picture swinging the axe to cut the grain stalks, and you have 断 (duàn), to cut off or break.
断 shows up in physical breaking, like 手机没电了，信号断了, and in many common words such as 不断 (bùduàn, continuously) and 判断 (pànduàn, to judge). It often follows a verb to show the result is broken, as in 打断 (dǎduàn) or 切断 (qiēduàn). Example: 请不要打断我。(Qǐng bú yào dǎduàn wǒ.) Please don't interrupt me.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 断 (duàn) with 继 (jì, to continue), which has a similar 米 part on the right. They mean nearly opposite things. Look for the axe 斤 in 断 and the silk radical 纟 in 继.
Common words with 断
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 不断 | bùduàn | unceasing; uninterrupted | HSK 3 |
| 判断 | pànduàn | to judge; to determine; judgment | HSK 3 |
| 中断 | zhōngduàn | to cut short; to break off | HSK 5 |
| 诊断 | zhěnduàn | to diagnose | HSK 5 |
| 打断 | dǎduàn | to interrupt; to break off | HSK 6 |
| 切断 | qiēduàn | to cut off; to sever | HSK 7-9 |
| 推断 | tuīduàn | to infer; to deduce | HSK 7-9 |
| 断定 | duàndìng | to conclude; to determine | HSK 7-9 |
| 断裂 | duànliè | fracture; rupture | HSK 7-9 |
| 果断 | guǒduàn | firm; decisive | HSK 7-9 |
| 垄断 | lǒngduàn | to monopolize | HSK 7-9 |
| 源源不断 | yuányuán-bùduàn | (idiom) in an unending stream; continuous | HSK 7-9 |
| 断断续续 | duànduànxùxù | intermittent; off and on | HSK 7-9 |
| 间断 | jiànduàn | disconnected; interrupted | HSK 7-9 |
断 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 断
How many strokes are in 断?
断 is written with 11 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 断 mean?
断 (duàn) means to break; to snap; to cut off. A common word with it is 不断 (bùduàn), meaning "unceasing; uninterrupted".
How do you pronounce 断?
断 is pronounced duàn, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 断?
The radical of 断 is 斤, which carries the idea of "a catty (about 500 grams)". Dictionaries list 断 under this radical.
What is the traditional form of 断?
The traditional form of 断 is 斷. Traditional characters are used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; 断 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore.
Is 断 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 断 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 断 and 折 when something breaks?
Both can mean to snap, but 断 is the general word for something being broken into separate pieces or cut off, like 绳子断了 (the rope broke). 折 (zhé) focuses on bending until it snaps, often for sticks or bones.
How is 断 used to mean absolutely?
In a fairly formal style, 断 comes before a negative to mean absolutely or under no circumstances, as in 断不能 (duàn bù néng, absolutely cannot). You will see it mostly in writing or set phrases, not casual speech.