寸

cùn
#1,901 most
frequent character
very short, a unit of length (=1/3 decimetre)
noun
Measure Word

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

寸 was drawn as a hand marked just under the wrist, the place where the pulse is felt. That spot became a unit of length, and from there the meaning 'inch'.

Drawn as: hand with wrist mark; mark below wrist

寸 as a component in other characters

meaning8 characters
将导寻耐冠辱尉尌
sound9 characters
过村守讨尊衬忖纣酎
picture10 characters
对射付封尊夺肘寽吋㝵
empty3 characters
时过寺

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Example Sentences

这条绳子长三寸。
zhè tiáo shéngzǐ cháng sāncùn 。
This rope is three inches long.
他只身高一寸。
tā zhī shēngāo yīcùn 。
He is only one inch tall.
请给我一寸的尺子。
qǐng gěi wǒ yīcùn de chǐzi 。
Please give me a ruler that is one inch long.

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