辰

chén

丿 + 乀 + 二 + 厂 + 𠄌

Definitions

chén (noun) 5th earthly branch: 7-9 a.m.

chén (noun) 3rd solar month (April-May)

chén (noun) year of the Dragon

Etymology

Pictograph of an ancient farming tool. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

辰 originated as a pictograph of an ancient farming tool, likely a hoe or sickle, shown in early forms with a curved blade and handle. It was later borrowed phonetically for the fifth Earthly Branch, a unit in traditional Chinese timekeeping, and came to mark the 7-9 AM period and the dragon zodiac sign. From there, its meaning extended to celestial bodies, time, and festive occasions, while the original tool sense disappeared entirely.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

夜晚星辰很美丽。

Yèwǎn xīngchén hěn měilì.

The stars at night are very beautiful.

这个时辰很适合散步。

Zhège shíchén hěn shìhé sànbù.

This time is very suitable for walking.

辰光流逝得很快。

Chénguāng liúshì de hěn kuài.

Time passes very quickly.

他生于辰时，所以取名带辰。

Tā shēng yú chénshí, suǒyǐ qǔmíng dài chén.

He was born during the hour of the dragon, so his name includes the character Chen.

辰时的阳光温暖而明亮。

Chénshí de yángguāng wēnnuǎn ér míngliàng.

The sunlight during the hour of the dragon is warm and bright.

仰望星辰，他感到无比宁静。

Yǎngwàng xīngchén, tā gǎndào wúbǐ níngjìng.

Gazing at the stars, he felt extremely peaceful.

辰龙是十二生肖之一。

Chén lóng shì shí'èr shēngxiào zhī yī.

The Dragon is one of the twelve zodiac animals.

每当辰时，他都会准时起床锻炼。

Měi dāng chénshí, tā dōu huì zhǔnshí qǐchuáng duànliàn.

Every day during the hour of the dragon, he always gets up on time to exercise.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 丿

Component: 乀

Component: 二

Component: 厂

Component: 𠄌

Example Words