Definitions

zhēn (noun) needle; pin
zhēn (noun) injection
zhēn (verb) to stitch

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

is the simplified form of the traditional character , which combines (metal) and (shí). In the simplified version, the metal radical (derived from ) appears on the left, still indicating a metal object, while on the right continues to hint at the pronunciation. The character originally denoted a needle, a slender, sharp metal implement used for sewing clothes, administering acupuncture, or as a compass needle. Over time, its meaning broadened beyond the concrete sewing tool to encompass any thin, pointed object, such as a pin, a hypodermic syringe, or the hands on a clock face. Additionally, serves as a measure word, applied to quantify medical injections or stitches made in fabric.

Example Sentences Hide

这根很细。

Zhè gēn zhēn hěn xì.

This needle is very thin.

妈妈用缝我的衣服。

Māmā yòng zhēn féng wǒ de yīfu.

Mom used a needle to sew my clothes.

时钟的时指向了十二点。

Shízhōng de shízhēn zhǐ xiàng le shí'èr diǎn.

The hour hand of the clock points to twelve o'clock.

护士打的技术非常好。

Hùshi dǎzhēn de jìshù fēicháng hǎo.

The nurse's injection technique is very good.

医生建议我进行灸治疗。

Yīshēng jiànyì wǒ jìnxíng zhēnjiǔ zhìliáo.

The doctor suggested I undergo acupuncture treatment.

对目前的困难,我们要想办法。

Zhēnduì mùqián de kùnnán, wǒmen yào xiǎng bànfǎ.

Regarding the current difficulties, we need to find a solution.

他的批评句句如,刺在我心上。

Tā de pīpíng jù jù rú zhēn, cì zài wǒ xīn shàng.

His criticism was like needles, each sentence piercing my heart.

这项政策是砭时弊的良方。

Zhè xiàng zhèngcè shì zhēnbiǎn shí bì de liángfāng.

This policy is a good prescription for criticizing current social ills.