Definitions

zhàn (verb) to occupy; to take up; to take possession
zhān (verb) to divine; to tell fortunes

Etymology

In ancient China fortune-tellers analyzed cracks () and holes () in shells and bones for the purpose of divination.

About

The character 占 (zhàn, zhān) is an ideogrammatic compound formed by the 卜 (bǔ) radical on top, representing a divination crack or the act of divining, and the 口 (kǒu) radical below, meaning mouth. Its original sense described a diviner or shaman speaking the interpretation of a divination result. From this core idea of interpreting signs, the meaning extended to observing and guessing. It later developed the common sense of occupying or seizing a physical space, as well as representing a proportion or percentage of a whole.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

了一个座位。

Tā zhàn le yí gè zuòwèi.

He took a seat.

这本书有重要地位。

Zhè běn shū zhànyǒu zhòngyào dìwèi.

This book holds an important position.

敌人据了城市。

Dírén zhànjù le chéngshì.

The enemy occupied the city.

他喜欢卜未来。

Tā xǐhuan zhānbǔ wèilái.

He likes to divine the future.

不要别人便宜。

Bùyào zhàn biérén piányi.

Don't take advantage of others.

这块土地了大片面积。

Zhè kuài tǔdì zhàn le dà piàn miànjī.

This piece of land occupies a large area.

他的意见据了讨论的主导地位。

Tā de yìjiàn zhànjù le tǎolùn de zhǔdǎo dìwèi.

His opinion dominated the discussion.

这项技术据了市场的大部分份额。

Zhè xiàng jìshù zhànjù le shìchǎng de dà bùfèn fèn'é.

This technology occupies a large market share.