Writing Balance Rule: The outer shelter radical (广) arches gracefully over the top and left side, leaving ample open space inside for the inner component (占) to sit balanced below and slightly to the right.
1. Meaning
shop, store, or inn
establishmenthotel
NounNeutral#commerce#buildings#business
Sample Usage
这家店很大。
Zhè jiā diàn hěn dà.
This shop is very big.
我想去书店买书。
Wǒ xiǎng qù shūdiàn mǎi shū.
I want to go to the bookstore to buy books.
2. Sound
/[ti̯ɛn⁵¹]/Tone: 51
店
diàndian4
|
++
`(51)
=diàn
Initial Consonant
d
Type: Unaspirated Alveolar
Sounds like: d sound in English dog
Unaspirated
Airflow Tactile Test: No puff of air. Tissue remains still (sounds like English 't' in 'stop').
Tongue & Mouth Position: Tongue tip pressed against the alveolar ridge behind the upper front teeth, releasing cleanly without a puff of air.
Final Rhyme
ian
Vowel Group: -a vowel group
Sounds like: -ian rhymes with 'yen' in English
Mouth Shape Guide: Pronounce as standalone vowel 'yen'.
Common Learner Trap: Keep vowel quality steady across all 4 tone contours.
Abbreviated Rhyme Rule: The 'i' acts as a front-high glide leading into the open front vowel 'a' and nasal 'n'.
Tone
T4 (51)
5 → 1 (51)
4th Tone (High-Falling)
Tone Pitch & Cadence: Tone 4 starts high and drops sharply to the bottom, identical to an emphatic 'No!' or command in English speech cadence.
👂
Listening trap: Do not confuse Tone 4 (diàn) with Tone 1 (diān) or Tone 3 (diǎn). The sudden drop in pitch is essential.
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Physical Tone Gesture: A sharp, definitive nod downwards or chopping motion with the hand, matching the sharp downward drop of Tone 4.
3. Writing
Topology: Full enclosure · Strokes: 8 strokes
Writing Balance Rule: The outer shelter radical (广) arches gracefully over the top and left side, leaving ample open space inside for the inner component (占) to sit balanced below and slightly to the right.