敦
dūn
honest, urge
At a glance · 敦

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

敦 Evolution of the glyph
  1. 敦 Object sketch
    Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
  2. 敦 Oracle bone
    Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
  3. 敦 Seal script
    Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
  4. 敦 Clerical script
    Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
  5. 敦 Regular script
    Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested:oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

小篆从攴𦎫声,形声字,本指愤怒(或厚),引申为厚道、诚恳。隶楷作「敦」。

What the sketch shows

敦 Object sketch

Origins & notes

「敦」本指厚实,引申为诚笃、督促。

Structure

形声字,攴(攵)为意符,𦎫为声符。

At a glance

Pinyindūn
Radical攵
Strokes12
UnicodeU+6566
Character type形声
Theme德行

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English honest, urge Honest, sincere; to urge.
Français sincère, presser Sincère, honnête; presser.
Español sincero, instar Sincero, honesto; instar.
العربية صادق، يحث صادق أو يحثّ.
Русский искренний, убеждать Искренний, честный; понуждать, убеждать.

Common words

  • 敦厚dūn hòuhonest
  • 敦dūnsincere