寸

cùn

HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

cùn (noun) unit of length (≈ 3.3 cm)

cùn (noun) inch; thumb

Etymology

Pictograph of a hand with a line marking a spot on the wrist. In traditional Chinese medicine this spot on the wrist where the pulse can be taken is called the 寸口.

About

寸 originated as a pictograph of a hand with a line marking the pulse spot on the wrist, known in traditional Chinese medicine as the 寸口. From this anatomical reference, it evolved into a standard unit of length, the Chinese inch, about 3.3 centimeters. The meaning then broadened metaphorically to convey extreme smallness or brevity, as in a sliver of time or a tiny bit of space.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这件衣服尺寸合适。

Zhè jiàn yīfu chǐcùn héshì.

This piece of clothing is the right size.

我需要知道桌子的尺寸。

Wǒ xūyào zhīdào zhuōzi de chǐcùn.

I need to know the size of the table.

这个屏幕有十英寸。

Zhège píngmù yǒu shí yīngcùn.

This screen is ten inches.

他说话很有分寸。

Tā shuōhuà hěn yǒu fēncùn.

He speaks with a sense of propriety.

他理了一个寸头。

Tā lǐle yí gè cùntóu.

He got a crew cut.

虽然只差一寸，但他还是没有够到。

Suīrán zhǐ chà yī cùn, dàn tā háishì méiyǒu gòudào.

Although it was only an inch short, he still couldn't reach it.

在测量时，每一寸都要非常准确。

Zài cèliáng shí, měi yī cùn dōu yào fēicháng zhǔnquè.

When measuring, every inch must be very accurate.

这个设计师注重每一寸布料的利用，以减少浪费。

Zhège shèjìshī zhùzhòng měi yī cùn bùliào de lìyòng, yǐ jiǎnshǎo làngfèi.

This designer pays attention to the use of every inch of fabric to reduce waste.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 寸

寸