Definitions

dēng (verb) to ascend; to climb; to mount
dēng (verb) to record; to publish; to enter (e.g.: into a register)
dēng (verb) to put on (shoes; clothes)

Etymology

Depicts two feet () rising onto a stone platform () to board into a vehicle.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "登" derives from an early conceptual depiction of a ritual ascent, integrating the element "癶" representing a foot stepping upward with "豆" denoting a ceremonial vessel, originally encapsulating the act of mounting a platform to present offerings. Its structural composition has remained consistent, preserving this visual suggestion of elevation and sacred ceremony. While the primary sense of ascending or climbing persists, the character's usage expanded over time to encompass abstract forms of elevation, such as entering information into a record or making something publicly known, as seen in terms for registration or publication, indicating an adaptation from concrete ritual actions to more abstract administrative and literary functions.

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)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 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)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal 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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们明天去山。

Wǒmen míngtiān qù dēngshān.

We will go climbing tomorrow.

请在这里记。

Qǐng zài zhèlǐ dēngjì.

Please register here.

上了山顶。

Tā dēngshàngle shāndǐng.

He ascended to the mountaintop.

我们早上录了系统。

Wǒmen zǎoshang dēnglùle xìtǒng.

We logged into the system in the morning.

他决定上那座高山。

Tā juédìng dēngshàng nà zuò gāoshān.

He decided to climb that high mountain.

机前,请出示护照。

Dēngjī qián, qǐng chūshì hùzhào.

Before boarding, please show your passport.

录网站后,你可以下载文件。

Dēnglù wǎngzhàn hòu, nǐ kěyǐ xiàzài wénjiàn.

After logging into the website, you can download files.

月计划需要大量资金和技术。

Dēngyuè jìhuà xūyào dàliàng zījīn hé jìshù.

The moon landing project requires a lot of funding and technology.