程

chéng

呈 + 禾

Definitions

chéng (noun) procedure; process

chéng (noun) journey; distance

chéng (noun) rule; formula

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 禾 represents the meaning and 呈 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "unit of measurement". The meaning later shifted to "rule", "procedure", "sequence", and "journey".

Semantic: 禾 Phonetic: 呈

About

程 is a phono-semantic compound combining the semantic radical 禾 (grain) with the phonetic component 呈. It originally denoted a unit of measurement used for weighing grain and establishing standardized quotas for taxation or distribution. The precision required in these assessments broadened the meaning to include rules, procedures, and formulas. Today, the character commonly refers to a journey, distance, sequence, or a computerized process, reflecting its shift from tangible measurement to abstract systematic progression.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)

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

这个程序很简单。

Zhège chéngxù hěn jiǎndān.

This program is very simple.

学习是一个漫长的过程。

Xuéxí shì yīgè màncháng de guòchéng.

Learning is a long process.

他是一位软件工程师。

Tā shì yī wèi ruǎnjiàn gōngchéngshī.

He is a software engineer.

这门课程非常受欢迎。

Zhè mén kèchéng fēicháng shòu huānyíng.

This course is very popular.

我的日程安排得很满。

Wǒ de rìchéng ānpái dé hěn mǎn.

My schedule is very full.

我们必须遵守公司的章程。

Wǒmen bìxū zūnshǒu gōngsī de zhāngchéng.

We must abide by the company's rules.

这是一个程控的电话交换机。

Zhè shì yīgè chéngkòng de diànhuà jiāohuàn jī.

This is a program-controlled telephone exchange.

人生旅程中的每个阶段都值得纪念。

Rénshēng lǚchéng zhōng de měi gè jiēduàn dōu zhídé jìniàn.

Every stage in the journey of life is worth commemorating.

Related Characters

Component: 呈

Component: 禾

程