點 (diǎn) - Dot, point & to light, to ignite

點Tone 3

diǎn ｜ 17 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

點 · diǎn

Dot, point;

to light, to ignite;

to check off, to select;

a small amount;

a unit of time or measurement;

to touch lightly.

Dot, pointto light, to igniteto check off, to select

Usage highlights

ClickLight a firePoint of viewAdvantageWeak pointA little bit

Synonyms

  • 滴— drop (small quantity)
  • 燃— to ignite, to burn
  • 选— to choose, to select

Antonyms

  • 灭— to extinguish
  • 面— surface, area (vs. point)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Click the mouse to select an option (点击).
  • She lit a candle in the dark room (点蜡烛).
  • Add a little salt to the soup (点盐).
  • The meeting is scheduled for 9 o'clock (九点钟).
  • He made some good points in the discussion (观点).

Collocations

  • Click(点击)
  • Light a fire(点火)
  • Point of view(观点)
  • Advantage(优点)
  • Weak point(缺点)
  • A little bit(一点)

Idioms

  • So many points they form a line(点石成金)
  • With just a little hint, everything becomes clear(画龙点睛)
  • A crucial touch that brings a work of art to life(点铁成金)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In calligraphy and painting, a 'dot' is a fundamental brushstroke with great expressive power.
  • Used in traditional timekeeping to denote specific hours (点钟).
  • The idiom '画龙点睛' emphasizes the critical detail that completes a masterpiece.

FAQ