遁 (dùn) - to escape & to flee

遁Tone 4

dùn ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

丁恩

遁 · dùn

to escape;

to flee;

to avoid;

to evade;

to withdraw;

to hide;

to conceal oneself

to escapeto fleeto avoid

Usage highlights

to escape and fleeto withdraw from the worldto escape and hideto flee in defeatto escape under cover of nightto disappear without a trace

Synonyms

  • 逃— to escape; to flee
  • 避— to avoid; to evade
  • 隐— to hide; to conceal

Antonyms

  • 进— to advance; to move forward
  • 攻— to attack; to assault
  • 显— to appear; to manifest

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The enemy forces retreated and fled (遁走).
  • He escaped from the city under cover of night (夜遁).
  • The hermit withdrew from worldly affairs (遁世).
  • The thief disappeared without a trace (遁形).

Collocations

  • to escape and flee(遁逃)
  • to withdraw from the world(遁世)
  • to escape and hide(遁匿)
  • to flee in defeat(败遁)
  • to escape under cover of night(夜遁)
  • to disappear without a trace(遁形)

Idioms

  • Flee in panic and scatter in confusion(仓皇逃遁)
  • Escape without leaving a trace(遁迹潜形)
  • Withdraw from the world and live in seclusion(遁世离群)
  • Escape by flying up to the sky or burrowing into the earth(飞遁离俗)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In classical Chinese philosophy, '遁' often describes the act of withdrawal from society, particularly among Daoist hermits and recluses.
  • The character appears in the I Ching (Book of Changes) in the 33rd hexagram 遯 (Dùn), which symbolizes retreat and strategic withdrawal.
  • In military strategy, '遁' represents tactical retreat or escape from unfavorable situations.

FAQ