Usage note
顿用于描述一顿饭的时间长度或次数。
dùn yòng wù xǔ miáo huì yī dūn fàn de shí jiān cháng duǎn huò cì shù。
顿 is used to describe the duration or frequency of a meal.
Context note
顿常用于描述一天中的正餐，比如午餐一顿饭或晚餐两顿饭。
dùn cháng yòng wù xǔ yī tiān zhōng de zhèng cān, bǐ rú zhōng cān yī dùn fàn huò wǎn cān liǎng dùn fàn。
顿 is commonly used to describe main meals in a day, such as one lunch or two dinners.
5 examples
这顿饭吃了两个小时。
zhè dùn fàn chī le liǎng gè xiǎo shí。
This meal took two hours to eat.
每天吃两顿早餐。
měi tiān chī liǎng dùn zǎo cān。
Eat two breakfasts every day.
这顿饭很好吃。
zhè dùn fàn hěn hǎo chī。
This meal is very delicious.
午餐一顿就好。
wǔ cān yí dùn jiù hǎo。
One lunch is enough.
晚餐两顿饭。
wǎn cān liǎng dùn fàn。
Two dinners in the evening.
5 mini stories
妈妈说每天吃三顿饭，一顿早餐，一顿午餐，一顿晚餐。
mā mā shuō měi tiān chī sān dùn fàn， yí dùn zǎo cān， yí dùn wǔ cān， yí dùn wǎn cān。
Mom says to eat three meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
爸爸说他每天吃两顿饭，一顿早餐，一顿晚餐。他说这样更健康。
bà ba shuō tā měi tiān chī liǎng dùn fàn， yí dùn zǎo cān， yí dùn wǎn cān。 tā shuō zhè yàng gèng jiàn kāng。
Dad says he eats two meals a day: breakfast and dinner. He says it's healthier.
爷爷说他年轻时一顿饭可以吃很多，现在年纪大了，一顿饭吃得少了。
yé ye shuō tā nián qīng shí yí dùn fàn kě yǐ chī hěn duō， xiàn zài nián jì dà le， yí dùn fàn chī dé shǎo le。
Grandpa says he could eat a lot in his youth, but now that he is older, he eats less per meal.
姐姐说她每天吃两顿饭，一顿午餐，一顿晚餐。她说这样可以保持身材。
jiě jie shuō tā měi tiān chī liǎng dùn fàn， yí dùn wǔ cān， yí dùn wǎn cān。 tā shuō zhè yàng kě yǐ bǎo chí shēn cái。
Sister says she eats two meals a day: lunch and dinner. She says this helps maintain her figure.
弟弟说他每天吃三顿饭，一顿早餐，一顿午餐，一顿晚餐。他说这样可以补充能量。
dì di shuō tā měi tiān chī sān dùn fàn， yí dùn zǎo cān， yí dùn wǔ cān， yí dùn wǎn cān。 tā shuō zhè yàng kě yǐ bǔ chōng néng liàng。
Brother says he eats three meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He says this helps replenish energy.
Mini dialogue
一日三餐
A
你每天吃几顿饭？
Nǐ měitiān chī jǐ dùn fàn?
How many meals do you eat every day?
B
我每天吃三顿饭。
Wǒ měitiān chī sān dùn fàn.
I eat three meals every day.
夸奖饭菜
A
妈妈做的这顿饭真好吃！
Māma zuò de zhè dùn fàn zhēn hǎochī!
This meal Mom made is really delicious!
B
是啊，每一顿都很好吃。
Shì a, měi yī dùn dōu hěn hǎochī.
Yes, every meal is very delicious.
Related words and contrasts
similar
餐
cān
meal (MW)
一餐饭 is similar to 一顿饭
contrast
次
cì
time (MW)
次 is a general measure word for actions, 顿 is specific for meals