洞 (dòng) - hole, cavity, cave & penetrating, clear-sighted

洞Tone 4

dòng ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical: 氵

丁恩

洞 · dòng

hole, cavity, cave;

penetrating, clear-sighted;

used in words for grotto, cavern, and metaphorically for insight or transparency.

hole, cavity, cavepenetrating, clear-sightedused in words for grotto, cavern, and metaphorically

Usage highlights

cavegrottoinsightclear observationcavitytunnel

Synonyms

  • 穴— cave, den, cavity
  • 孔— hole, opening, aperture

Antonyms

  • 实— solid, real, substantial
  • 堵— block, stop up

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • We explored a limestone cave (石灰岩洞).
  • The report provides penetrating analysis (洞见).
  • Water was dripping from a hole in the ceiling (洞).
  • He has clear insight into the situation (洞察).

Collocations

  • cave(洞穴)
  • grotto(洞窟)
  • insight(洞见)
  • clear observation(洞察)
  • cavity(空洞)
  • tunnel(隧道洞)

Idioms

  • Clear as seeing fire(洞若观火)
  • Penetrating insight(洞见症结)
  • Empty talk(空洞无物)
  • To see through at a glance(一目洞穿)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Daoist and Buddhist contexts, caves often represent places of spiritual retreat and enlightenment.
  • The character conveys both physical emptiness (hole) and mental clarity (penetrating understanding).
  • Used in Chinese mythology and literature for mystical grottoes connecting to other realms.

FAQ