冬

鼕

dōng

⺀ + 夂

HSK 2.0Level 3

Definitions

dōng (noun) winter

dōng (noun) beating of a drum

Etymology

Depicts a rope with knots at both ends. Originally written as 𠂂. Based on the original meaning "tip, extremity", now written as 終. The meaning later shifted to "winter" (the final season of the year), in which the 冫 (ice) component was then added to reinforce the meaning.

About

冬 originally depicted a rope with knots at both ends (𠂂), conveying "end" or "extremity" (now written 終). Its meaning later shifted to "winter", the final season of the year, and the ice component 冫 was added to reinforce the sense of cold. The upper part 夂 retains the notion of conclusion, while 冫 marks the freezing temperatures and icy conditions characteristic of the season. Today, 冬 exclusively denotes the coldest season, set apart from others by plunging temperatures and frozen waters.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

冬天很寒冷。

Dōngtiān hěn hánlěng.

Winter is very cold.

冬季雪花飘。

Dōngjì xuěhuā piāo.

Snowflakes float in winter.

冬天的阳光温暖。

Dōngtiān de yángguāng wēnnuǎn.

The winter sunlight is warm.

我们在冬天堆雪人。

Wǒmen zài dōngtiān duī xuěrén.

We build snowmen in winter.

冬季运动很有趣。

Dōngjì yùndòng hěn yǒuqù.

Winter sports are very interesting.

冬至是重要的节气。

Dōngzhì shì zhòngyào de jiéqì.

Winter solstice is an important solar term.

冬装需要保暖性好。

Dōngzhuāng xūyào bǎonuǎn xìng hǎo.

Winter clothing needs to have good warmth retention.

在寒冷的冬夜，我喜欢喝热茶。

Zài hánlěng de dōng yè, wǒ xǐhuān hē rè chá.

On cold winter nights, I like to drink hot tea.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: ⺀

Component: 夂

Example Words