冬

鼕
dōng
⺀ + 夂
HSK 2.0Level 3

Definitions

dōng (noun) winter
dōng (noun) beating of a drum

Etymology

Depicts a rope with knots at both ends. Originally written as 𠂂. Based on the original meaning "tip, extremity", now written as 終. The meaning later shifted to "winter" (the final season of the year), in which the 冫 (ice) component was then added to reinforce the meaning.

About

冬 originally depicted a rope with knots at both ends (𠂂), conveying "end" or "extremity" (now written 終). Its meaning later shifted to "winter", the final season of the year, and the ice component 冫 was added to reinforce the sense of cold. The upper part 夂 retains the notion of conclusion, while 冫 marks the freezing temperatures and icy conditions characteristic of the season. Today, 冬 exclusively denotes the coldest season, set apart from others by plunging temperatures and frozen waters.

Example Sentences Hide

冬天很寒冷。

Dōngtiān hěn hánlěng.

Winter is very cold.

冬季雪花飘。

Dōngjì xuěhuā piāo.

Snowflakes float in winter.

冬天的阳光温暖。

Dōngtiān de yángguāng wēnnuǎn.

The winter sunlight is warm.

我们在冬天堆雪人。

Wǒmen zài dōngtiān duī xuěrén.

We build snowmen in winter.

冬季运动很有趣。

Dōngjì yùndòng hěn yǒuqù.

Winter sports are very interesting.

冬至是重要的节气。

Dōngzhì shì zhòngyào de jiéqì.

Winter solstice is an important solar term.

冬装需要保暖性好。

Dōngzhuāng xūyào bǎonuǎn xìng hǎo.

Winter clothing needs to have good warmth retention.

在寒冷的冬夜，我喜欢喝热茶。

Zài hánlěng de dōng yè, wǒ xǐhuān hē rè chá.

On cold winter nights, I like to drink hot tea.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

图 终 疼 咚 佟 氡 螽 終 峂 柊 泈 鼕

Component: ⺀

尽 寒 枣 炙

Component: 夂

处 各 条 务 备 复 夜 修 夏 麦 倏 惫 赣 囱

Example Words

冬天 冬季 冬日 冬瓜 冬眠 冬装 寒冬 过冬 丁冬 入冬 冬令 冬夏 冬奥会 冬宫 冬月 冬歇期 冬笋 冬节 冬粉 冬至 冬菇 冬菜 冬荫 冬虫夏草