寸
cùn · HSK 5
inch
📏 寸 = ancient Chinese inch, ~3.3 cm; etymology: hand 又 + mark for pulse point
寸 (cùn) is a traditional unit of length, about one inch. The character shows a hand (又) with a small stroke marking the spot one cùn below the wrist where doctors feel the pulse. Used as a measure word for short lengths.
寸 — hand 又 + indicator dot 一
寸 originally depicted a hand (又) with a small mark indicating the pulse point about one inch below the wrist. It came to mean 'inch,' a traditional Chinese unit of length, and by extension 'a tiny amount.' It often appears as a component suggesting hand actions or measurement.