蹲

cún, dūn

尊 + 𧾷

HSK 2.0Level 5

HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

dūn (verb) to crouch; to squat

dūn (verb) to stay (somewhere)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 足 represents the meaning and 尊 represents the sound.

Semantic: 足 Phonetic: 尊

About

蹲 is a phonosemantic compound that pairs the radical 足 (foot) on the left with the phonetic 尊 on the right. The 足 radical places it among words for leg actions, while 尊 cues the pronunciation. Its core meaning is the physical act of squatting or crouching, bending the knees and lowering the body until the weight rests on the heels. Over time, a colloquial sense developed: to idle or hang around in one spot for a long while.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他蹲下来系鞋带。

Tā dūn xià lái jì xiédài.

He squatted down to tie his shoes.

小猫喜欢蹲在窗台上。

Xiǎo māo xǐhuan dūn zài chuāngtái shang.

The kitten likes to squat on the windowsill.

我们在公园里蹲着观察蚂蚁。

Wǒmen zài gōngyuán lǐ dūn zhe guānchá mǎyǐ.

We squatted in the park to observe the ants.

运动员在起跑线后蹲着准备出发。

Yùndòngyuán zài qǐpǎoxiàn hòu dūn zhe zhǔnbèi chūfā.

The athletes crouched behind the starting line, ready to go.

长时间蹲着会让腿部发麻。

Cháng shíjiān dūn zhe huì ràng tuǐbù fāmá.

Squatting for a long time will make your legs go numb.

他因伤不得不退出比赛，只能在场边蹲着观战。

Tā yīn shāng bùdébù tuìchū bǐsài, zhǐ néng zài chǎng biān dūn zhe guānzhàn.

Due to an injury, he had to withdraw from the match and could only squat by the sidelines to watch.

这个部落的居民习惯蹲在火堆旁吃饭聊天。

Zhège bùluò de jūmín xíguàn dūn zài huǒduī páng chīfàn liáotiān.

The residents of this tribe are accustomed to squatting by the fire to eat and chat.

为了拍到最佳照片，摄影师在草丛里蹲守了整个下午。

Wèile pāi dào zuì jiā zhàopiàn, shèyǐngshī zài cǎocóng lǐ dūnshǒu le zhěnggè xiàwǔ.

In order to get the best photo, the photographer lay in ambush in the grass for the entire afternoon.

Related Characters

Component: 尊

Component: 𧾷

蹲