Definitions

duàn (verb) to break; to snap; to cut off
duàn (verb) to stop; to give up; to abstain from
duàn (verb) to judge; to conclude
duàn (adverb) definitely; decidedly

Etymology

Simplified form of . Depicts cutting off threads () with an axe ()

About

is a simplified form of , which combines (axe) on the right with (silk threads) on the left to depict cutting threads with an axe. The simplified left side comes from a cursive abbreviation, while retaining the axe component to preserve the core meaning of severing or breaking. Over time, the character's sense expanded beyond physical cutting to abstract ideas like making decisive judgments, concluding matters, or stopping a process entirely.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 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)
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)
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

我的铅笔掉了。

Wǒ de qiānbǐ duàndiào le.

My pencil broke.

绳子突然了。

Shéngzi tūrán duàn le.

The rope suddenly broke.

他不努力学习。

Tā bùduàn nǔlì xuéxí.

He constantly studies hard.

请判对错。

Qǐng pànduàn duìcuò.

Please judge right or wrong.

他们绝了联系。

Tāmen duànjué le liánxì.

They cut off contact.

医生诊他得了流感。

Yīshēng zhěnduàn tā dé le liúgǎn.

The doctor diagnosed him with the flu.

进步才能取得成功。

Bùduàn jìnbù cáinéng qǔdé chénggōng.

Only by making continuous progress can one achieve success.

在做出决定之前,需要仔细判所有情况。

Zài zuò chū juédìng zhīqián, xūyào zǐxì pànduàn suǒyǒu qíngkuàng.

Before making a decision, one needs to carefully judge all situations.