耑 (duān) - duan1 — beginning, origin & foundation, basis

耑Tone 1

duān ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

丁恩

耑 · duān

duan1 — beginning, origin;

foundation, basis;

also used as a variant form of 端 (duan1) meaning 'end' or 'extremity' in some contexts.

duan1 — beginning, originfoundation, basisalso used as a variant form of 端

Usage highlights

Beginning of thingsLetter receivedFoundation stoneStarting pointOrigin and development

Synonyms

  • 始— beginning, start
  • 初— initial, first
  • 端— end, extremity (in some contexts)

Antonyms

  • 末— end, final
  • 终— end, conclusion

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The beginning of things(事耑)
  • He wrote a letter(来耑)
  • This is the foundation of our plan(计划之耑)
  • duan1(Ancient variant of 端)

Collocations

  • Beginning of things(事耑)
  • Letter received(来耑)
  • Foundation stone(基耑)
  • Starting point(起耑)
  • Origin and development(本末源耑)

Idioms

  • From beginning to end(自始至终)
  • The root and the branch(本末源耑)
  • To trace back to the source(追本溯源)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Ancient character that originally depicted plant shoots emerging from the ground, representing beginnings and origins
  • Used as a variant form of 端 in classical texts, though 端 is more common in modern usage
  • Appears in some historical documents and classical literature

FAQ