to freeze

JLPT N5 7 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Usage of (dòng)

The character primarily means "to freeze" or "to become frozen." It is commonly used to describe water, food, or other liquids turning into ice due to cold temperatures. It can also describe the state of being very cold, often causing shivering.

Common Collocations

  • 起来 (dòng qǐlái): to freeze over (used for lakes, rivers, or surfaces)
  • (lěngdòng): to freeze (usually for food preservation)
  • (dòng de): used before verbs like 哆嗦 (shiver) to describe being cold

Notes

When using , it often implies a physical change caused by cold. It differs from the verb "" (jié bīng), which also means "to freeze" but is more formal and scientific. is more common in everyday speech. Avoid confusing with 冻结 (dòngjié), which is a compound meaning "to freeze solid" or "to freeze up" in technical contexts.

In conversation, can describe both the process (freezing) and the sensation (feeling cold). For example, 发抖 means "shivering because of cold."

Example Sentences

The lake surface freezes in winter.

Please put the meat in the freezer.

He was shivering from the cold.