Definitions

chēn (literary) to stare angrily; to glare

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

is a phono-semantic compound: the eye radical on the left indicates the meaning relates to eyes or sight, and the right component (zhēn) provides the sound. The character describes an angry facial expression: opening the eyes wide to glare or stare fiercely at someone, driven by deep anger or hostility. It links the physical widening of the eyes with fury or indignation, contrasting with neutral words for looking. is mainly found in literary writing, where it conveys tense, angry visual encounters.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern