当
dāng, dàng
Description
“当”是一个很常见的字，可以表示“做”、“成为”，比如“当老师”，也可以表示“在某个时候”，比如“当我小的时候”。
"当" is a very common character that can mean "to do" or "to become", as in "当老师" (become a teacher), and can also indicate "at a certain time", as in "当我小的时候" (when I was young).
读“dàng”的时候，常常表示“合适”或者“把东西拿去换钱”。
When pronounced "dàng", "当" often means "appropriate" or "to pawn something for money".
Meanings
当dāng
to be; to work as; to serve as
他想当医生。
He wants to be a doctor.
当dāng
at (a certain time or place); when
当我回家时，天已经黑了。
It was already dark when I got home.
当dàng
to treat as; to regard as
别把我当小孩。
Don't treat me like a child.
Related words
Notes
- Etymology
originally meant 'to match/be equal', extended to 'act as' and 'treat as'.
- Nuance
当 (dāng) means 'work as'; 当 (dàng) means 'consider as' — different tones, different senses.
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