点

點

diǎn

占 + 灬

HSK 2.0Level 1

HSK 3.0Level 1

Definitions

diǎn (noun) point; dot; spot

diǎn (noun) o'clock; point in time

diǎn (verb) to dot; to mark; to check off

diǎn (verb) to order (food)

diǎn (verb) to light; to ignite

diǎn (adverb) slightly; a bit

Etymology

Simplified form of 點. Phonosemantic compound. 黑 represents the meaning and 占 represents the sound.

Semantic: 灬 Phonetic: 占

About

点, the simplified form of 點, is a phono-semantic compound: 黑 ('black') conveys the meaning, while 占 indicates the sound. Its earliest meaning was a small black spot or speck, directly reflecting the radical for black. Over time, the definition broadened to include any small mark, drop, point in space or time, and actions like lighting a fire or checking items off a list. In the simplified character, the complex black radical is replaced by the four-dot fire radical 灬 at the bottom, and the top portion is derived from the phonetic component 占.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我点了一杯茶。

Wǒ diǎn le yì bēi chá.

I ordered a cup of tea.

现在几点钟？

Xiànzài jǐ diǎn zhōng?

What time is it now?

请你快点说话。

Qǐng nǐ kuài diǎn shuōhuà.

Please speak quickly.

他经常点同样的菜。

Tā jīngcháng diǎn tóngyàng de cài.

He often orders the same dish.

如果你不满意，可以点别的。

Rúguǒ nǐ bù mǎnyì, kěyǐ diǎn bié de.

If you are not satisfied, you can order something else.

地图上有一个红点。

Dìtú shàng yǒu yí gè hóng diǎn.

There is a red dot on the map.

这一点意见很重要。

Zhè yī diǎn yìjiàn hěn zhòngyào.

This point of opinion is very important.

通过关键点分析，我们找到了解决方案。

Tōngguò guānjiàn diǎn fēnxī, wǒmen zhǎodào le jiějué fāng'àn.

Through key point analysis, we found a solution.

Related Characters

Component: 占

Component: 灬

点