胜

勝

shèng

月 + 生

HSK 3.0Level 5

Definitions

shèng (verb) to defeat; to beat; to overcome

shèng (noun) victory; success

shèng (verb) to surpass; to exceed; better than

shèng (adjective) beautiful; superb (of scenery or view)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 生 represents the sound. Simplified form of 勝.

Semantic: ⺼ Phonetic: 生

About

胜 (shèng), meaning "victory", is the simplified form of the traditional character 勝. That traditional character combined 力 (lì, physical strength) with a complex element depicting a heavy burden, originally referring to the ability to lift or sustain great weight through exertion. The simplified character swaps these components for 月, the flesh radical (a variant of ⺼) that relates to the body, and the phonetic element 生 (shēng), creating a phonosemantic compound. Over time, the meaning broadened from bearing physical loads to prevailing over obstacles, winning against opponents, excelling beyond expectations, and describing something superb or scenic.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这场比赛我们胜利了。

Zhè chǎng bǐsài wǒmen shènglì le.

We won this match.

他在法庭上胜诉了。

Tā zài fǎtíng shàng shèngsù le.

He won the lawsuit in court.

这里是旅游胜地。

Zhèlǐ shì lǚyóu shèngdì.

This is a tourist attraction.

她胜任这项工作。

Tā shèngrèn zhè xiàng gōngzuò.

She is competent for this job.

胜算在我们这边。

Shèngsuàn zài wǒmen zhè biān.

The chance of victory is on our side.

这里的风景胜似图画。

Zhèlǐ de fēngjǐng shèngsì túhuà.

The scenery here is better than a painting.

他们队胜出了比赛。

Tāmen duì shèngchūle bǐsài.

Their team won the match.

战胜困难需要勇气。

Zhànshèng kùnnán xūyào yǒngqì.

Overcoming difficulties requires courage.

Related Characters

Component: 月

Component: 生

胜