摶 (tuán) - To form into a ball & to roll into a ball
摶 · tuán
To form into a ball;
to roll into a ball;
to knead;
to gather;
to concentrate;
to assemble.
To form into a ballto roll into a ballto knead
Usage highlights
Form into a ballKnead clayConcentrate energyGather sandManipulate/formForm and knead
Usage & contexts
Examples
- To knead clay into a ball (摶土).
- To concentrate one's energy (摶氣).
- To gather sand (摶沙).
- The act of forming something round (摶弄).
Collocations
- Form into a ball(摶成球)
- Knead clay(摶土)
- Concentrate energy(摶氣)
- Gather sand(摶沙)
- Manipulate/form(摶弄)
- Form and knead(摶塑)
Idioms
- Like trying to hold sand — efforts come to nothing(摶沙弄汞)
- Gathering sand to build a pagoda — futile effort(摶沙作塔)
- Forming clay into figures — creative shaping(摶土作人)
Cultural background
FAQ- Originally described the physical action of kneading or forming materials like clay or dough into round shapes.
- In Daoist practices, used in contexts like 'concentrating qi' (摶氣) referring to energy cultivation techniques.
- Appears in classical texts describing both literal shaping of materials and metaphorical gathering or concentrating of abstract qualities.