Definition
顿悟 describes a moment of sudden insight or realization—the 'aha' moment when something clicks. In Buddhist contexts it refers to sudden enlightenment (as opposed to gradual cultivation), but in modern usage it works for any sudden understanding of a truth or problem. You can use it as an intransitive verb (我顿悟了) or with a direct object (顿悟一个道理).
v.
to suddenly realize the truthto attain (sudden) enlightenment
Examples
- ,顿悟。Tā xiǎng le hěn jiǔ, zhōngyú dùn wù le zhège wèntí.He thought for a long time and finally had a sudden realization about this problem.
- 顿悟。Nà běn shū ràng wǒ dùn wù le rénshēng de dàolǐ.That book made me suddenly realize the truth about life.
- ,顿悟。Dàshī shuō le yí jù huà, túdì mǎshàng dùn wù le.The master said one sentence, and the disciple instantly attained enlightenment.
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