单 Stroke Order — How to Write 单
单 is written in 8 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 丷, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
单 Radical and Character Components
Partial breakdown of 单:丷
Radical: 丷 + 6 more strokes
单 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- dān
- shàn
- chán
Meanings of 单 in Chinese
1
dān单
Not complex; simple; pure; monotonous.
这个任务很简单，你很快就能完成。
This task is very simple; you will be able to complete it quickly.
single; sole; individual
他喜欢单独旅行。
He likes to travel alone.
only; merely; solely
单靠一个人是很难完成这项任务的。
It's very difficult for one person alone to complete this task.
odd (number); single, not paired
我喜欢在单日跑步。
I like to run on odd-numbered days.
Thin, weak; often referring to clothing, a person's build, or a foundation lacking substance.
冬天穿得单薄容易着凉。
Wearing thin clothes in winter makes it easy to catch a cold.
Single-layered; unlined (referring to clothing, like trousers or garments without extra lining).
天气热了，可以穿单衣了。
The weather is getting warm, so you can wear unlined clothes.
A sheet or cover, often used for bedding, such as a bedsheet or quilt cover.
我需要换一下床单了。
I need to change the bedsheets.
A slip of paper or a form used for recording information, such as receipts, flyers, or lists.
请核对这份名单上的信息。
Please check the information on this list.
A monk's meditation mat or bed in a Zen hall.
禅堂里，老和尚坐在他的单上打坐
In the Zen hall, the old monk sat meditating on his mat.
2
shàn单
surname
3
chán单
"Chán" as in "Chányú" (单于) refers to the title for the supreme leader of the Xiongnu, an ancient nomadic empire.
匈奴单于的权势曾盛极一时。
The power of the Xiongnu Chányú was once immense.
Common Words and Phrases with 单
1
A simple pendulum consists of a point mass suspended by a massless, inextensible string, oscillating freely under gravity.
为了研究重力加速度，物理学生们经常使用单摆进行实验。
Physics students often use a simple pendulum for experiments to study gravitational acceleration.
2
An individual traveling merchant or peddler.
他以前是做单帮的，经常往返于两地之间贩卖一些稀有商品
He used to be a hawker, often traveling between two places to sell some rare goods.
3
Simple proportion, a ratio where both the antecedent and consequent have only one number, such as 6:7 or A:B.
在数学概念中，像5比8这样前后项都只有一个数的比，通常被称为单比，它简洁地表达了两个量之间的比例关系
In mathematical concepts, a ratio like 5 to 8, where both the antecedent and the consequent are single numbers, is typically referred to as a simple ratio, concisely expressing the proportional relationship between two quantities.
4
A proportional equation where two simple ratios are set equal to each other, such as a:b=c:d.
在数学中，解决一个单比例问题通常涉及交叉相乘，以便找到未知数的值。
In mathematics, solving a single proportion problem usually involves cross-multiplication to find the value of the unknown.
5
A single soldier or an isolated, unassisted military unit.
这位老兵具备出色的单兵作战能力。
This veteran possesses excellent individual combat capabilities.
6
Thin, weak, or insubstantial (referring to clothing, physique, strength, or content).
天气很冷，他只穿了一件单薄外套，让人有些担心。
It was very cold, and he was only wearing a thin coat, which made people a bit worried.
7
yield per unit area
通过改良种植技术，我们成功提高了小麦的单产，增加了农民的收入。
By improving cultivation techniques, we successfully increased the yield per unit area of wheat, enhancing farmers' income.
8
9
a judgment about whether a specific individual object has a certain property
“这张桌子是木制的”就是一个典型的单称判断，因为它针对的是一个具体的、唯一的对象。
'This table is made of wood' is a typical singular judgment, as it refers to a specific, unique object.
10
11
to have only one son for several generations
他们家祖辈都是单传，所以格外看重这个独子。
Their family has had only one male heir for generations, so they particularly cherish this only son.
12
Simple, pure, and uncomplicated.
她心地善良，想法很单纯，容易相信别人。
She is kind-hearted, her thoughts are very pure and simple, and she easily trusts others.
13
A word consisting of a single morpheme.
“水”是一个单纯词，因为它只包含一个语素。
"Water" is a monomorphemic word because it contains only one morpheme.
14
a single word, as opposed to a phrase
学习新单词是提高词汇量的有效方法。
Learning new words is an effective way to improve vocabulary.
15
Singles (in sports, e.g., tennis or table tennis)
我更喜欢打单打，因为那更考验个人能力。
I prefer playing singles because it tests individual skill more.
16
To have a one-track mind; to focus exclusively on one thing or aspect.
他学习上总是喜欢单打一，只顾着自己感兴趣的数学，其他科目都落下了
He always prefers a single-minded approach to his studies, only focusing on mathematics which he's interested in, neglecting all other subjects.
More words with 单
- dìng订dān单order for goods; order form
- cài菜dān单menu
- chuáng床dān单bed sheet, sheet
- gū孤dān单Alone; lonely.
- qīng清dān单A detailed list or inventory.
- zhàng账dān单bill, invoice
- bǎo保dān单An insurance policy or a warranty.
- bào报dān单Submit an order, Place an order
- bèi被dān单A bed sheet.
- dìng定dān单order, purchase order
- guà挂dān单place an order, pending order
- lǐ礼dān单list of gifts
- lù路dān单Roadmap, Scorecard
- míng名dān单a name list; a roll
- rù褥dān单bed sheet
- shī失dān单Lost order, Lost deal
- tí提dān单Bill of Lading, B/L
- yùn运dān单Waybill, Shipping order
- jiǎn简dān单simple; not complicated
- píng凭dān单Voucher, Certificate
Idioms with 单
- dān单dāo刀fù赴huì会attend a dangerous meeting alone
- dān单dāo刀zhí直rù入get straight to the point
- dān单gēn根dú独miáo苗sole child or only descendant
- dān单jiā家dú独hù户single independent household
- dān单mén门dú独hù户single-family detached house
- dān单qiāng枪pǐ匹mǎ马To act alone without assistance
- dān单rén人dú独mǎ马acting alone, single-handedly
- gū孤gū孤dān单dān单alone and without support
- huò祸bù不dān单xíng行misfortunes never come singly
- jiǎn简dān单míng明liǎo了simple and clear
- luán鸾zhī只fèng凤dān单solitary after losing beloved spouse
- mén门dān单hù户bó薄a family in decline
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Open the tool →Questions about 单
What does 单 mean in Chinese?
单 (dān) means “Not complex” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 单?
单 has 3 pronunciations: dān, shàn, chán.
How many strokes does 单 have?
单 has 8 strokes.
How do you write 单?
单 is written in 8 strokes, starting from the radical 丷. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 单?
The radical of 单 is 丷.