盾 (dùn) is a Chinese character meaning “shield”. It is written from 𠂆 (slanting top-left edge) and 十 (ten) and 目 (eye), one enclosing the other, and takes 9 strokes.
Build the character for “shield”
Four steps: break it apart, build it, recall it, use it in a word.
StartLearn this character
Structure
𠂆 + 十 + 目
Enclosing structure
Structure from: 现代简化字形拆分（hanzi-writer-data 笔画核验：0-1 两撇 𠂆 / 2-3 十 / 4-8 目）
Memory aid
A slanting board (𠂆) is held out in front, and behind it ten (十) watchful eyes (目) peer over the rim — that board is a shield.
This is a memory aid, not the historical origin.
Stroke order
9 strokes
In real words
- 盾牌dùn páishield; (figurative) pretext used as cover盾 = dùn
- 矛盾máo dùncontradiction; conflict; contradictory盾 = dùn
Go deeper
All readings
shield
shield; a shield-shaped object; (in 矛盾) one side of a contradiction
古代作战时用来遮挡刀箭、保护身体的牌；也指盾形的东西。 — studyhanzi 编写
Words with this reading
- 盾牌dùn páishield; (figurative) pretext used as cover盾 = dùn
- 矛盾máo dùncontradiction; conflict; contradictory盾 = dùn
Stroke data: hanzi-writer-data (Arphic Public License) · licenses & attributions
Questions people ask about this character
What does 盾 mean?
盾 (dùn) means shield; a shield-shaped object; (in 矛盾) one side of a contradiction.
How do you pronounce 盾?
It is pronounced dùn.
What parts is 盾 made of?
𠂆 (slanting top-left edge) and 十 (ten) and 目 (eye), one enclosing the other. The recorded source is: 现代简化字形拆分（hanzi-writer-data 笔画核验：0-1 两撇 𠂆 / 2-3 十 / 4-8 目）. Components are the building blocks of the shape; the radical used for dictionary lookup is a separate thing.
How many strokes does 盾 have?
9. You can watch the stroke order on this page, or trace it yourself.
What is the radical of 盾?
目. The radical is how the character is filed in a dictionary — it is not the whole story of how the character is built.
What words use 盾?
Common ones are 盾牌 and 矛盾. The reading of 盾 is not the same in every word, so each word on this page shows which reading applies.