How to Write 臀 (tún) — Meaning “buttocks; hips”

Imagine a palace (殿) made of flesh (月) — the buttocks are like a fleshy throne you sit on. Or think of the phrase "temple of the bottom" where 殿 (temple) combines with the flesh radical. This visual helps link the sound tún to the idea of a fleshy palace.

Write the left radical 月 first (4 strokes, narrow and tall), then the right part 殿 (13 strokes). Inside 殿, the order is: 尸 (3 strokes), then 共 (6 strokes), then 殳 (4 strokes). A common mistake is making the left 月 too wide — keep it narrow so the character stays balanced.

臀 (tún) means 'buttocks' and uses the flesh radical 月. 朦 (méng) means 'dim' or 'hazy' and uses the moon radical 月 (same shape but different meaning) with 蒙. 膘 (biāo) means 'fat' or 'grease' and uses the flesh radical with 票 — it refers to animal fat, not a specific body part.

臀 is used in formal, medical, or fitness contexts, such as 臀部 (buttocks area) and 臀围 (hip measurement). In everyday speech, people prefer the more casual word 屁股 (pìgu). In Chinese fitness culture, 翘臀 (perky buttocks) is a common goal for exercises like squats.

Common words containing 臀 include: 臀部 (tún bù) — buttocks; 臀围 (tún wéi) — hip circumference; hip measurement; 翘臀 (qiào tún) — perky buttocks; firm buttocks.