Meaning of 断
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to break
- to snap
- to cut off
- to give up or abstain from sth
- to judge
- (usu. used in the negative) absolutely
- definitely
- decidedly
How to use 断
断 (duàn) often appears after another verb to show something ends up broken or cut off, as in 打断 (dǎduàn) and 切断 (qiēduàn). It is also used for things that stop, like power, contact, or a habit. Example: 停电了，网也断了。(Tíngdiàn le, wǎng yě duàn le.) The power went out, and the internet is down too.
The left side of 断 looks like a bundle of silk threads in a box, and the right side is 斤 (jīn), an old character for an axe. An axe chopping through threads gives you 断 (duàn), to break or cut off.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 断 (duàn, to break) with 段 (duàn, a section or segment) because they sound identical. Remember that 断 has the axe 斤 on the right, while 段 is a measure word for pieces of time, text, or road.
断 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.
断 duàn · to break · 11 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 断.
| 不断 | bùduàn | unceasing; uninterrupted |
| 判断 | pànduàn | to judge; to determine; judgment |
| 中断 | zhōngduàn | to cut short; to break off |
| 诊断 | zhěnduàn | to diagnose |
| 打断 | dǎduàn | to interrupt; to break off |
| 切断 | qiēduàn | to cut off; to sever |
| 推断 | tuīduàn | to infer; to deduce |
| 断定 | duàndìng | to conclude; to determine |
| 断裂 | duànliè | fracture; rupture |
| 果断 | guǒduàn | firm; decisive |
| 垄断 | lǒngduàn | to monopolize |
| 源源不断 | yuányuán-bùduàn | (idiom) in an unending stream; continuous |
Questions about 断
What does 断 mean?
断 (duàn) means "to break; to snap" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 断?
断 is made of 1 character: 断 (11 strokes). That is 11 strokes in total.
Is 断 an HSK word?
Yes. 断 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 断 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 断 is written 斷.
What is the difference between 断 and 破 when something breaks?
断 (duàn) means something long or connected snaps into separate parts, like a rope, stick, or bone. 破 (pò) means something is torn, cracked, or damaged, like clothes, a cup, or skin.
How is 断 used to mean quitting a habit?
断 can mean to give up or abstain, often in set phrases like 断奶 (duàn nǎi), to wean a baby, or 断烟 (duàn yān), to quit smoking. In everyday speech people also say 戒 (jiè), as in 戒烟 (jiè yān).