HanziGuru.端 · duān
端
duān[duan1]Tone 1

tip, end, extremity, to hold level with both hands

HSK 6
Multiple Readings (多音字):
Guru Deep Dive

English · tip, end, extremity, to hold level with both hands

Cached lesson
1 / 1
Topology:Left-right
Strokes:14
Writing Balance Rule: The left side (立) is narrower and slightly higher, while the right side (耑) provides stability with its wider base and balanced vertical strokes.
1. Meaning

tip, end, extremity

aspect, facetupright, properto hold sth level with both hands or carryto eliminate or wipe out
Noun / Verb / AdjectiveFormal / Literary / Bound formBound morpheme#geometry#posture#action#abstract nouns
Sample Usage
  • 端午节
    duān wǔ jié
    Dragon Boat Festival
  • 端盘子
    duān pán zi
    to carry a plate (as a waiter)
2. Sound
/[tu̯än⁵⁵]/Tone: 55
端
duānduan1
++
¯(55)
=duān
Initial Consonant
d
Type: Unaspirated Alveolar
Sounds like: English d sound
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 just behind the upper front teeth.
Final Rhyme
uan
Vowel Group: -a vowel group
Sounds like: rhymes with wan in 'swan'
Mouth Shape Guide: Pronounce as standalone vowel 'wahn'.
Common Learner Trap: Keep vowel quality steady across all 4 tone contours.
Abbreviated Rhyme Rule: The medial 'u' glides smoothly into 'an'.
Tone
T1 (55)
1st Tone (High-Flat)
Tone Pitch & Cadence: Tone 1 is a high, steady pitch, similar to holding a musical note flat at the very top of your vocal range.
👂
Listening trap: Confusing the initial 'd' with 't' (which is aspirated). Ensure you do not blow air out.
👋
Physical Tone Gesture: A high, flat horizontal hand gesture held steady at eye level, matching the high-level pitch of Tone 1.
3. Writing

Topology: Left-right · Strokes: 14 strokes

Writing Balance Rule: The left side (立) is narrower and slightly higher, while the right side (耑) provides stability with its wider base and balanced vertical strokes.

4. Components

Radical 立 · stand radical (standing upright)

Semantic Clue (形旁): 立 (indicates standing firm or upright position)

Phonetic Clue (声旁): 耑 (original sound: duān)

The character combines '立' (standing upright) on the left with '耑' (originally depicting a sprouting plant with roots and a tip) on the right, signifying an upright tip or extremity.

  • 立 stand upright
  • 耑 phonetic and semantic clue for head, beginning, or tip
5. History
Liushu category: Phono-semantic (形声)

Origin: Originally, '耑' depicted a plant sprouting from the ground with roots below and a bud at the top, representing a beginning or extremity. Adding '立' reinforced the concept of standing tall at the edge or end.

Semantic Evolution: From 'sprout/tip of a plant' to any 'extremity or end', then extended to 'holding something level' (keeping it balanced like a tray at the edge) and 'upright moral conduct'.

  • The word '端午' (Dragon Boat Festival) originally referred to the 'initial (duān) fifth (wǔ)' day of the fifth lunar month.
6. Sinosphere
🇻🇳
Sino-Vietnamese
đoan
Similar to the flat or level high tone/neutral register in Vietnamese compound words.
🇯🇵
Kanji (Japanese)
On: タン (tan)
🇰🇷
Hanja (Korean)
단
7. Memory
Vivid Mnemonic Story

You STAND upright (立) holding a tray level at the very TIP (端) of your fingers, serving food at a restaurant.

Phonetic Family (形声字家族)
喘
chuǎnto gasp, pantAdd the mouth radical (口) on the left because you pant with your mouth open.
瑞
ruìauspiciousAdd the jade radical (王) on the left for precious, auspicious jade.
Lookalikes & Traps (形近字)
喘(chuǎn)
喘 has a mouth radical (口) for breathing, whereas 端 has the standing radical (立).
8. Mastery
Active Recall Challenge
我们要树立正气，消除不良[___]。
Clue: duān
Common Learner Pitfall

Confusing the right component '耑' with similar looking components like '而', or mispronouncing the initial 'd' as an aspirated 't'.

Memory Prompts
Recognition: When you see 端, what is its primary meaning and how do you pronounce it with tone 1?
Production: How do you write the character for 'tip/end' (duān) combining the stand radical and its phonetic part?
Real-World Video Context

Watch authentic native speakers pronounce and explain this word in real-world YouTube videos.

Search theme
Accent preference

Results are live YouTube search — accents and levels aren't verified.

端duāntip, end, extremity, to hold level with both hands
Speed:
Searching YouTube for native pronunciation videos...
0 / 0
Watch on YouTubeMore Results on YouTube