断
Character learning workspace

duàn · to sever, to cut off, to interrupt

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 2.0 · Level 4HSK 3.0 · Level 5Frequency #1707
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Learn every stroke in 断

Replay the complete order, pause on difficult movements, inspect one stroke at a time, then write it yourself with live correction.

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Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Step-by-step explorer

See how 断 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

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Writing notes

Shape and proportion

11Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Left-rightCharacter structure

Keep the left side compact and leave enough room for the right side.

斤Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

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Download a 断 writing sheet

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Vocabulary in context

Common words with 断

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

duànWords pronounced duàn
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Example sentences

Notice where 断 sits in each complete thought.

Ruǎn jiàn zhèng zài bú duàn jìn huà.软件正在不断进化。

Software is constantly evolving.

Source: Tatoeba #8696302 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ wú fǎ pàn duàn tā de huà shì zhēn shì jiǎ.我无法判断他的话是真是假。

I've no way of telling whether or not what he says is true.

Source: Tatoeba #792598 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā dǎ duàn le wǒ men de tán lùn.他打断了我们的谈论。

He interrupted our conversation.

Source: Tatoeba #1672003 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā gēn tā men gān cuì dì duàn jué lái wǎng le.他跟他们干脆地断绝来往了。

He made a clean break with them.

Source: Tatoeba #5595117 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Zài guò mǐn de jì jié bú duàn dì xǐng tā de bízi .在过敏的季节不断地擤他的鼻子.

Constantly blowing his nose in allergy season.

Source: Tatoeba #1597382 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ yì zhí dōu xiāng xìn nǐ de pàn duàn.我一直都相信你的判断。

I've always trusted your judgment.

Source: Tatoeba #7704620 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 断 in context

  1. Say duàn, then recall the core meaning: to sever, to cut off, to interrupt.
  2. Write all 11 strokes while keeping the left-right balanced.
  3. Use it in 不断 (bú duàn), meaning “unceasing”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 断 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.