陈

陳

chén

东 + 阝

Definitions

chén (verb) to display; to exhibit; to present

chén (verb) to state; to explain; to tell

chén (adjective) old; stale

Etymology

Simplified form of 陳. Composed of 阝 and 东. The purpose of 东 is unclear.

About

陈 is the simplified form of 陳. Its left component, the mound radical 阝, suggests earthworks or terrain, and originally pointed to the strategic arrangement of military chariots. This led to broader senses of displaying, arranging, and stating. The right side, 东, replaces the traditional 東; its function is unclear, it may simply be a graphic simplification without a clear phonetic role. The character additionally means 'old' or 'stale' and is a very common surname.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze 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 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 Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

陈先生是我的朋友。

Chén xiānsheng shì wǒ de péngyou.

Mr. Chen is my friend.

这本书的内容很陈旧。

Zhè běn shū de nèiróng hěn chénjiù.

The content of this book is very old.

他向我们陈述了事实。

Tā xiàng wǒmen chénshù le shìshí.

He stated the facts to us.

博物馆里陈列着许多文物。

Bówùguǎn lǐ chénliè zhe xǔduō wénwù.

Many cultural relics are displayed in the museum.

房间里的陈设很简单。

Fángjiān lǐ de chénshè hěn jiǎndān.

The furnishings in the room are very simple.

陈皮是一种常用的中药材。

Chénpí shì yī zhǒng chángyòng de zhōngyàocái.

Dried citrus peel is a commonly used Chinese herbal medicine.

这些陈年的酒味道很好。

Zhèxiē chénnián de jiǔ wèidào hěn hǎo.

These aged wines taste very good.

他的观点有些陈腐。

Tā de guāndiǎn yǒuxiē chénfǔ.

His views are somewhat stale.

Related Characters

Component: 东

Component: 阝

Example Words