Level 2 · Unit 3 Verbs & Actions

How to Write 吞 (tūn)

Meaning: "Swallow"
Step-by-Step Stroke Order Diagram
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Detailed Mastery Guide for 吞

The character 吞 (Traditional: 吞) is a fundamental part of the Chinese language, representing "Swallow". In our Level 2 curriculum, we focus on the 7-step stroke sequence to ensure your handwriting is both fast and accurate.

Writing & Recognition

Proper stroke order is essential for character recognition and legibility. By following the animation above, you can see how the character is built from top to bottom and left to right. This character is often categorized under Verbs & Actions, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary.

Key Vocabulary

吞噬 tūnshì tan1 sai6
to swallow, to engulf
吞沒 tūnmò tan1 mut6
to embezzle, to swallow up

Radical Breakdown

Breaking it down: The character 吞 is built on the radical 口 (30). Understanding radicals like this is a proven technique for accelerating vocabulary acquisition.

Etymology & Origins

A phono-semantic compound where the mouth (口) represents the action of swallowing, and the top component (天) provides the phonetic sound.

Example Sentence

Simplified: 他大口地吞下药丸。

Tā dà kǒu de tūn xià yàowán.

Traditional: 他大口地吞下藥丸。

taa1 daai6 hau2 dei1 tan1 haa6 joek6 jyun4.

"He swallowed the pill in one big gulp."

Dialect Pronunciation

In Mandarin, this character is pronounced as tūn. If you are learning Cantonese, the pronunciation is tan1. Use the audio buttons to hear the subtle tonal differences between the two major Chinese dialects.

Practice & Retention

To move this character from short-term to long-term memory, we recommend using our free practice sheet generator. Writing the character 10-15 times while following the correct sequence is a proven method for mastery.

Quick Self-Check

What is the meaning of '吞'?

A) To swallow
B) To vomit
C) To taste
D) To smell

Other Characters in Level 2 Unit 3

Hope this tool helps your Chinese learning journey!

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