称

稱

chèn, chēng, chèng

尔 + 禾

HSK 2.0Level 5

HSK 3.0Level 5

Definitions

chēng (verb) to weigh; to name; to call; to praise; to say; to state

chèn (adjective) fitting; suitable; balanced

chèng (noun) steelyard (weighing scale)

Etymology

Simplified form of 稱. Phonosemantic compound. 禾 represents the meaning and 爯 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "measure weight". The meaning later shifted to "lift", "raise", "praise", "reputation", and "call".

About

称 is the simplified form of 稱, a phono-semantic compound where 禾 (grain) supplies the meaning and 爯 indicates the sound; in the simplified character, the phonetic 爯 is replaced by 尔. The original sense was "to measure weight", especially of grain. From this core meaning, the character broadened to denote lifting and raising, and later developed the extended senses of praising, reputation, calling, and addressing or naming someone by a title or designation.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我称他为朋友。

Wǒ chēng tā wéi péngyou.

I call him a friend.

她称赞我聪明。

Tā chēngzàn wǒ cōngming.

She praises me as smart.

请称一下重量。

Qǐng chēng yīxià zhòngliàng.

Please weigh the weight.

他声称自己无罪。

Tā shēngchēng zìjǐ wú zuì.

He claims that he is innocent.

这幅画很对称。

Zhè fú huà hěn duìchèn.

This painting is very symmetrical.

我对工作很称心。

Wǒ duì gōngzuò hěn chènxīn.

I am satisfied with my job.

他获得了冠军称号。

Tā huòdé le guànjūn chēnghào.

He obtained the champion title.

这种植物俗称太阳花。

Zhè zhǒng zhíwù súchēng tàiyáng huā.

This plant is commonly known as sunflower.

Related Characters

Component: 尔

Component: 禾

称