About
The word 称赞 (chēngzàn), meaning "to praise" or "commend", is a compound formed through the combination of two semantically similar characters: 称 (chēng), which carries the meaning "to call" or "to say", often implying a positive declaration, and 赞 (zàn), which means "to approve", "to commend", or "to support". In this coordinated compound (并列结构), both components contribute closely related meanings, amplifying and reinforcing each other to create a single, nuanced verb that conveys the act of expressing admiration or approval vocally and sincerely. This formation is typical in Chinese, where synonyms are paired to refine and solidify an abstract concept.