Meaning of 单纯
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- simple
- pure
- unsophisticated
- merely
- purely
How to use 单纯
单纯 describes people who are innocent or naive, and things that are uncomplicated. As an adverb-like word it also means merely or purely, often in 单纯地 or 单纯是. Example: 她是一个很单纯的女孩。(Tā shì yí gè hěn dānchún de nǚhái.) She is a very innocent girl.
单 (dān) means single, and 纯 (chún) means pure, like silk thread 纟 with nothing mixed in. Something single and pure is simple and unsophisticated.
Common mistake: Learners often use 单纯 where 简单 (jiǎndān) fits better. A test or task is 简单, not 单纯, because 单纯 is mostly about a person's character or something being unmixed. Also keep 纯 (chún) in the second tone. Do not confuse it with 钝 (dùn), which means blunt.
单纯 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
单 dān · bill · 8 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
纯 chún · pure · 7 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Related words
Words that share a character with 单纯.
| 名单 | míngdān | list of names |
| 单位 | dānwèi | unit (of measure); unit (group of people as a whole) |
| 菜单 | càidān | menu |
| 简单 | jiǎndān | simple; not complicated |
| 单元 | dānyuán | unit (forming an entity); element |
| 单独 | dāndú | alone; by oneself |
| 单调 | dāndiào | monotonous |
| 纯净水 | chúnjìngshuǐ | purified water |
| 单一 | dānyī | single; only |
| 单打 | dāndǎ | singles (in sports) |
| 孤单 | gūdān | lone; lonely |
| 单身 | dānshēn | unmarried; single; alone |
Questions about 单纯
What does 单纯 mean?
单纯 (dānchún) means "simple; pure" and is used as a adjective.
How do you write 单纯?
单纯 is made of 2 characters: 单 (8 strokes), 纯 (7 strokes). That is 15 strokes in total.
Is 单纯 an HSK word?
Yes. 单纯 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 单纯 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 单纯 is written 單純.
Is calling someone 单纯 a compliment?
It depends on context. It can praise someone as innocent and sincere, but it can also hint that they are naive or easily fooled, as in 你太单纯了 (You are too naive).
How do I use 单纯 to mean merely or purely?
Put it before a verb or a phrase, often with 地 or 是. For example, 这不单纯是钱的问题 (Zhè bù dānchún shì qián de wèntí) means This is not merely a question of money.