寸 (cùn) - Meaning, Stroke Order, Words & Examples

Q: What does 寸 (cùn) mean in Chinese?

The Chinese character 寸 (cùn) means "Inch (Chinese unit of length)". It is an HSK Level 4 character, with 3 strokes and the radical 寸.

Q: How do you write 寸 stroke by stroke?

寸 has 3 strokes. The radical is 寸. Follow the standard stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. Practice with stroke animation to build muscle memory.

Q: What's the difference between 寸 and 对?

寸 (cùn) and 对 look similar but differ in meaning and usage. Check the radical and stroke count to tell them apart.

Q: What mistakes do learners make writing 寸?

Common mistake: incorrect stroke order or miswriting the radical 寸. Pay attention to the proportion between components — keep the radical compact.

Q: What common words use 寸?

Common words containing 寸 include: 尺寸 (chǐ cùn) — size; dimension; 寸步难行 (cùn bù nán xíng) — Hard to move a single step / Difficult to get anything done; 一寸 (yī cùn) — one inch (Chinese unit of length).

How to Write 寸

The character 寸 (cùn) is written with 3 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 寸 is one of its key components.

Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.

Meaning & Pronunciation

寸 is pronounced cùn in Mandarin Chinese. It means Inch (Chinese unit of length).

As an HSK Level 4 character, 寸 is an intermediate-level character.

Common Words with 寸

尺寸 chǐ cùn

size; dimension

寸步难行 cùn bù nán xíng

Hard to move a single step / Difficult to get anything done

一寸 yī cùn

one inch (Chinese unit of length)

Example Sentences

这件衣服尺寸不对。

zhè jiàn yī fú chǐ cùn bú duì

The size of this garment is incorrect.

下雨天寸步难行。

xià yǔ tiān cùn bù nán xíng

It is hard to move even a single step on a rainy day.

一寸光阴一寸金。

yī cùn guāng yīn yī cùn jīn

Time is money; an inch of time is worth an inch of gold.

Similar Characters

对 duì

Practice Writing 寸 (cùn)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 寸 with real-time feedback.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 寸

What does 寸 (cùn) mean in Chinese?

How do you write 寸 stroke by stroke?

What's the difference between 寸 and 对?

What mistakes do learners make writing 寸?

What common words use 寸?

How to Write 寸 (cùn)