斟

zhēn

斗 + 甚

Definitions

zhēn to pour; to deliberate

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 斗 represents the meaning and 甚 represents the sound.

Semantic: 斗 Phonetic: 甚

About

斟 is a phono-semantic compound: 斗 (dipper, measuring cup) on the right conveys the act of ladling liquid, while 甚 on the left gives the sound. Its original meaning was the careful pouring of liquid from a large vessel into a small cup without spilling, and this precise, measured action led to the extended sense of deliberating or weighing options thoughtfully.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他斟了一杯茶。

Tā zhēn le yī bēi chá.

He poured a cup of tea.

妈妈斟了热汤给我。

Māma zhēn le rè tāng gěi wǒ.

Mom poured hot soup for me.

我们斟酌一下再决定。

Wǒmen zhēnzhuó yīxià zài juédìng.

Let's consider it before deciding.

斟酒时要小心不要洒出来。

Zhēn jiǔ shí yào xiǎoxīn bùyào sǎ chūlái.

When pouring wine, be careful not to spill it.

他仔细斟酌了每个选项。

Tā zǐxì zhēnzhuó le měi gè xuǎnxiàng.

He carefully considered every option.

在斟茶之前，请先温杯。

Zài zhēn chá zhīqián, qǐng xiān wēn bēi.

Before pouring tea, please warm the cup first.

经过反复斟酌，他最终提出了这个方案。

Jīngguò fǎnfù zhēnzhuó, tā zuìzhōng tíchū le zhège fāng'àn.

After repeated deliberation, he finally proposed this plan.

斟酌言辞是演讲中不可或缺的技巧。

Zhēnzhuó yáncí shì yǎnjiǎng zhōng bùkě huò quē de jìqiǎo.

Weighing words is an indispensable skill in public speaking.

Related Characters

Component: 斗

Component: 甚

斟