寸

• 拼音: cùn
• 汉字拆解: 寸 = pictograph of a hand measuring a small unit of length

含义

Inch (Chinese unit); very small amount.

A traditional Chinese unit of length equal to about 3.33 cm. Also used figuratively to mean a very small amount or distance. Common in proverbs like 寸步难行 (can't move an inch) and 寸土必争 (fight for every inch of land).

例句

1. 一寸光阴一寸金，寸金难买寸光阴。
2. 这块地寸土寸金，房价非常贵。
3. 他身高五尺八寸，在南方算是高个子了。

用法指南

语境: measurements, proverbs, figurative expressions

语气: literary

正确说法

• 这里寸土寸金。(Every inch of land here is precious.)
• 寸步不让。(Won't give an inch.)

错误说法

• 现代口语中直接说'几寸'测量长度比较少见——现在通常用厘米或米 (Saying 几寸 for measurements is rare in modern speech — centimeters or meters are used now)

起源与历史

Pictograph of a hand with a mark indicating a measurement unit, the distance from the wrist pulse point.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal