甄

zhēn

垔 + 瓦

Definitions

zhēn surname Zhen

zhēn to distinguish; to evaluate

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 瓦 represents the meaning and 垔 represents the sound.

Semantic: 瓦 Phonetic: 垔

About

甄 is a phonosemantic compound: the radical 瓦 (wǎ) on the right, meaning "tile" or "earthenware", points to its earliest semantic roots in ceramic craft, while the component 垔 (yīn) on the left indicates the pronunciation. Originally, the character described the physical act of molding clay or manufacturing pottery on a rotating wheel. This process of shaping and selecting the right clay later extended into the abstract meaning of examining, screening, and selecting talented individuals from the broader population for official administrative or academic positions.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Seal Wu (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

甄先生是我的朋友。

Zhēn xiānsheng shì wǒ de péngyou.

Mr. Zhen is my friend.

我们公司有甄经理。

Wǒmen gōngsī yǒu Zhēn jīnglǐ.

Our company has Manager Zhen.

妈妈甄选新鲜水果。

Māma zhēnxuǎn xīnxiān shuǐguǒ.

Mom carefully selects fresh fruits.

学校需要甄别学生资格。

Xuéxiào xūyào zhēnbié xuéshēng zīgé.

The school needs to screen student qualifications.

经过甄选，我们找到了最佳方案。

Jīngguò zhēnxuǎn, wǒmen zhǎodào le zuì jiā fāng'àn.

After careful selection, we found the best solution.

在招聘过程中，甄别候选人的能力至关重要。

Zài zhāopìn guòchéng zhōng, zhēnbié hòuxuǎn rén de nénglì zhìguān zhòngyào.

In the recruitment process, screening candidates' abilities is crucial.

专家们正在甄选这些文物中的珍品。

Zhuānjiāmen zhèngzài zhēnxuǎn zhèxiē wénwù zhōng de zhēnpǐn.

Experts are selecting the treasures among these cultural relics.

通过严格的甄别程序，确保产品质量。

Tōngguò yángé de zhēnbié chéngxù, quèbǎo chǎnpǐn zhìliàng.

Through strict screening procedures, product quality is ensured.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 垔

Component: 瓦

甄