仗

zhàng

丈 + 亻

Definitions

zhàng (verb) to rely on; to depend on

zhàng (noun) weapon; weaponry

zhàng (noun) battle; war

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 丈 represents the sound.

Semantic: 亻 Phonetic: 丈

About

The character 仗 is a phono-semantic compound that relates to weaponry, warfare, and relying on force or support. Its left side, the semantic radical 亻 (rén) 'person,' reflects human involvement. The right side, the phonetic component 丈 (zhàng), provides the pronunciation; 丈 originally designated a unit of measurement or an elder man, but functions here as a sound marker. The earliest meaning referred to the actual weapons held by soldiers or guards. This later shifted to the act of fighting a battle or waging war, and eventually broadened to the abstract sense of relying on or trusting in someone or something for support and leverage.

Etymology Hide

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

士兵们正在打仗。

Shìbīngmen zhèngzài dǎzhàng.

The soldiers are fighting a war.

他仗着爸爸是老板。

Tā zhàngzhe bàba shì lǎobǎn.

He relies on his father being the boss.

我们倚仗你的经验。

Wǒmen yǐzhàng nǐ de jīngyàn.

We rely on your experience.

他为人很仗义。

Tā wéirén hěn zhàngyì.

He is very righteous.

侠客仗剑走天涯。

Xiákè zhàng jiàn zǒu tiānyá.

The knight-errant wields a sword and travels the world.

他仗势做了很多坏事。

Tā zhàng shì zuòle hěnduō huàishì.

He relied on his power and did many bad things.

不要仗恃别人的善良。

Bù yào zhàngshì biérén de shànliáng.

Don't take advantage of others' kindness.

他仗着自己学过法律，经常帮人打官司。

Tā zhàngzhe zìjǐ xuéguò fǎlǜ, jīngcháng bāng rén dǎ guānsī.

Relying on his legal education, he often helps people with lawsuits.

Related Characters

Component: 丈

Component: 亻

仗