About
The character "顿", traditionally written as "頓", is structured with the phonetic element "屯" and the semantic element "頁", the latter historically associated with the head. Its earliest recorded use conveyed the physical act of bowing the head, often in a ritual context, which naturally implied a momentary stop. From this concrete action, the character acquired the abstract meaning of pausing or halting, and further extended to denote settling or arranging something systematically. Additionally, it evolved into a measure word for events that occur in discrete instances, such as meals or reprimands. Throughout its historical development, the core components have remained identifiable, reflecting the character's etymological origins while accommodating semantic shifts.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我们吃一顿饭。
他停顿了一会儿。
天气顿时变冷了。
公司需要整顿纪律。
他一顿批评让我很难过。
经过整顿，部门效率提高了。
他顿悟了人生的道理。
在整顿市场秩序的过程中，政府采取了多项措施。