Definitions

(verb) to rush out; to dash forward
(adjective) sudden; abrupt
(verb) to protrude; to bulge

Etymology

Depicts a dog () suddenly running out of a cave ().

About

The character 突 is structurally formed from the component 穴, meaning cave or hole, and 犬, meaning dog, a combination that etymologically evokes a dog rushing out from a concealment. This pictorial logic originally conveyed the literal sense of dashing out or bursting forth. From this core action, the meaning extended to denote suddenness or abruptness, capturing the unexpected nature of such an emergence. Later semantic development added the concept of protruding or bulging out, where the character came to describe something projecting visibly from its surroundings.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
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)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

天气然变冷了。

Tiānqì tūrán biàn lěng le.

The weather suddenly turned cold.

他的成绩很出。

Tā de chéngjī hěn tūchū.

His achievements are outstanding.

我们破了难关。

Wǒmen tūpò le nánguān.

We broke through the difficulty.

情况发生了变。

Qíngkuàng fāshēng le tūbiàn.

The situation changed suddenly.

军队发动了袭。

Jūnduì fādòng le tūxí.

The army launched a surprise attack.

这件事显了问题。

Zhè jiàn shì tūxiǎn le wèntí.

This incident highlighted the problem.

他患有发性疾病。

Tā huàn yǒu tūfāxìng jíbìng.

He suffers from a sudden illness.

两国之间的冲然升级了。

Liǎng guó zhī jiān de chōngtū tūrán shēngjí le.

The conflict between the two countries suddenly escalated.