怔

zhēng, zhèng
忄 + 正

Definitions

zhēng (verb) to stare blankly
zhèng (adjective) stunned; dumbfounded

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 忄 represents the meaning and 正 represents the sound.

Semantic: 忄 Phonetic: 正

About

The character 怔 is a phono-semantic compound with the 忄 (heart) radical on the left, indicating an emotional state, and the phonetic component 正 (zhèng) on the right. Its original meaning related to terror or sudden panic. Over time, the sense shifted from intense fear toward a state of mental blankness, such as staring blankly or being dazed. In modern usage, 怔 primarily describes someone momentarily stupefied, bewildered, or staring into space due to shock, confusion, or deep distraction.

Example Sentences Hide

他突然怔住了。

Tā túrán zhèng zhù le.

He suddenly was stunned.

她怔怔地不说话。

Tā zhèngzhèng de bù shuōhuà.

She stared blankly without speaking.

听到消息后他怔了一下。

Tīng dào xiāoxi hòu tā zhèng le yīxià.

After hearing the news, he was stunned for a moment.

他怔在原地，动弹不得。

Tā zhèng zài yuándì, dòngtan bù dé.

He was stunned in place, unable to move.

他一怔，然后才反应过来。

Tā yī zhèng, ránhòu cái fǎnyìng guòlái.

He was stunned for a moment, then reacted.

看到眼前的情景，她不由得怔住了。

Kàn dào yǎnqián de qíngjǐng, tā bùyóu dé zhèng zhù le.

Seeing the scene before her, she couldn't help but be stunned.

他被这突如其来的问题怔得说不出话。

Tā bèi zhè túrúqílái de wèntí zhèng de shuō bù chū huà.

He was stunned by this sudden question and couldn't speak.

面对如此复杂的局面，他怔了好久才做出决定。

Miàn duì rúcǐ fùzá de júmiàn, tā zhèng le hǎo jiǔ cái zuò chū juédìng.

Facing such a complex situation, he was stunned for a long time before making a decision.

Related Characters

Component: 忄

情 性 快 怕 惊 怀 怪 慢 忙 懂 惯 恨 恰 忆

Component: 正

政 证 整 征 症 歪 焉 罡 钲 証 佱 囸 昰 鉦

Example Words

怔住 怔怔 魔怔 怔忡 发怔