How to Write 顿 (dùn) — Meaning “To pause / Suddenly / (Measure word for meals)”

Imagine you are eating a big meal (一顿饭) and suddenly you "pause" because you are full — your head (页) bows down. The left side 屯 looks like a bent person sitting at a table, stopping to rest. This image links the character to both "pause" and "meal."

Write the left part 屯 first: horizontal, vertical turning stroke, vertical, then vertical hook. Then write the right part 页: horizontal, vertical, horizontal, left-falling stroke, vertical lift, and finally a dot. A common mistake is making the left part too wide; keep it narrow so the right side (with the dot) is balanced.

顿 uses 屯 on the left, meaning "pause" or a meal measure word, while 顶 (dǐng) has 丁 and means "top" or "peak". 顷 (qǐng) has 匕 and means a short moment or "just now". Visually, the left parts differ: 屯, 丁, and 匕 — each changes the meaning completely.

顿 is very common as a measure word for meals, like 一顿饭 (a meal). It also appears in 停顿 (tíng dùn, "pause") and 顿时 (dùn shí, "immediately") to describe sudden actions. Culturally, counting meals with 顿 (e.g., 三顿饭) is standard in daily conversation.

Common words containing 顿 include: 一顿饭 (yī dùn fàn) — a meal; 停顿 (tíng dùn) — Pause; 顿时 (dùn shí) — Immediately / At once.